Introduction

The purpose of this document is to serve as companion to the book Grimoire Nier. This book contains extensive background info on the world of Nier and many short stories. However, this book is only available in Japanese. Many Japanese speaking fans of the game on the GameFAQs message board have been translating different sections of the book and we are trying to collect all of them here.

Disclaimer

Please be advised that some of these stories contain mature themes relating to violence and sexuality. It should already be obvious but this document contains major spoilers. If you have not completed at least endings A and B yet you should stop reading now. This document also contains some spoilers for the game Drakengard on the Playstation 2.

Background Information on Nier

In 2003 Cavia released Drakengard, an action RPG for Playstation 2. This game received decent reviews and it became something of a cult classic due to its incredibly dark storyline and foreboding atmosphere. In Drakengard you play the role of Caim, a young prince whose kingdom was destroyed by an evil Empire. Wounded and near death, Caim meets Angelus, a red dragon. They decide that the only way for the two of them to survive is to form a pact. As a result Caim loses his voice. They go on to try to destroy the Empire and save Caim's sister Furiae. The game has 5 endings. The first ending, ending A is thought to be the canonical ending and led to a sequel, Drakengard 2. Ending E leads the world of Nier. In ending E, Caim, Angelus, and the giant queen are teleported to modern day Tokyo. The player then has to complete a notoriously difficult minigame to defeat the giant queen. After defeating the queen, they are shot down and killed by Japanese fighter jets.

Now the story of Nier takes over. The appearance of the dragon causes people to be infected by an unknown disease which spreads and leads to the end of civilization. The game takes place about a thousand years after these events, in a post-apocalyptic world.

There are 2 versions of Nier. They are "Nier Replicant" and "Nier Gestalt". In Gestalt, you are an older man trying to save your daughter Yonah from the Black Scrawl virus. In Replicant, you are a younger man trying to save your sister. Nier was developed by Cavia and released in 2010. In Japan, "Nier Gestalt" was released on the Xbox 360 and "Nier Replicant" was released on Playstation 3. America and Europe only got the Gestalt version which was simply titled "Nier" on both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. Aside from the main character and his relationship to Yonah, both games are identical.

Grimoire Nier Translation

Investigation Report

Translated by Defade

2003/11/04 22:53

Debriefed on the project. It’s a highly classified case. No room for rejection.

Extremely unwilling. In the first place, what the hell do they want a particle physics specialist like me to do?

2003/11/09 23:06

Saw the object assumed to be the cause for the incident. It must be some kind of bad joke. Who would believe that a ‘dragon’ and ‘giant’ fell on Shinjuku? However, it’s true that the substance’s energy characteristics are abnormal. The plan was to begin detailed investigations tomorrow. Now I get why I’m called to this project.

2003/12/04 22:45

The food here is really bad. It’s like they were trying to make do by stuffing tons of NSG into it.

Well, it’s free, so I can’t really complain that much. But I really wish they’d improve, if only for the sake of keeping researchers motivated.

2004/02/08 23:17

Another victim of the rare disease appeared in the department. I heard bad rumors about this. Something about the researched particle being the cause. It’s true that the substance is shrouded in mysteries. I’m sure some people would buy that.

I’m worried that the research will be delayed.

2004/02/22/ 23:43

Contacted by Watanabe. There’s a high possibility that the particle is the cause of the rare disease after all. Direct contact was forbidden. Research is only going to get harder from now on. However, it’s pretty much confirmed that the particles which make up the giant change their energy levels according to the state of the observer. What on earth are they reacting to?

Variations in heat and brainwaves? Changes in the water amount in the atmosphere due to sweat? Some of them are saying that it’s reacting to changes in a person’s mental state, but

that’s just occult talk, not science.

2004/02/25 23:07

To investigate the relationship between the mysterious disease and the particle, the corpse was moved into the research room. My first impression was that of a white statue. Similar to recordings of the giant that I’ve been shown. I thought it was turning white due to denatured proteins, but it was composed of purely NaCl – in other words, it’s turning into salt. It’s much higher than the amount in a human body, just where is it absorbing the sodium from? The victims are said to suffer from auditory hallucinations, so maybe the grey matter is getting destroyed first. Well, I’ll leave that part to the neuroscientists.

2004/07/04 02:18

Tired today. Won’t they lessen the amount of useless report sessions and meetings. They’re a waste of time.

2005/02/24 01:15

Contacted by Kobayashi. Succeeded in cultivating tissue D from the sea of origin. The density of particle G seems to be important after all. Now research on tissue D could proceed smoothly. But the vitality of tissue D is quite surprising. It’s rather resistant to heat and impact. Planning to perform experiments on its resistance on a grander scale.

2005/03/08 00:45

No matter how much I look into it, the energy change accompanying the cultivation of tissue D defies the law of conservation of energy. It’s not even on a micro level like quantum physics – how could you explain the energy failure on such a macro level? I guess the remaining energy came from unknown particle G after all.

2005/11/15 02:11

Seems like there was some sort of accident during the experiment on tissue D’s resistance. Are we being blocked off or what? I don’t get that much information these days. I feel like we’re doing too many rash experiments just to get some results.

Wonder what got the higher up’s knickers in a twist.

2005/12/24 01:45

Christmas Eve. Ever since the accident, security level has been bumped up to red, so I can’t even leave. I told my husband to get a present for my daughter, so let’s hope he didn’t forget. However, a teddy bear might’ve been a bit too childish for her. Statistics dictate that girls in her age group like stuffed toys, but standard deviation for preferences is simply too big, so I can’t really put too much trust in that. I’ll ask her what she wants next time.

2006/01/08 01:33

Rumors about black monsters are spreading. Mass hysteria due to stress from the recent state of affairs? Not only are absurd experiments being continued, security is abnormally tight. What exactly is going on? Is it related to how investigation reports on tissue D aren’t coming this way anymore?

2006/04/15 02:22

I’m really not feeling so good recently. I guess I am pretty tired.

The recent mainstream law of conservation of energy expansion theory that sprung from the parallel dimension explanation works perfectly fine with calculations, but I can’t help but think it’s forcibly tacked on. Moreover, saying that the giant and dragon are from parallel worlds is sci-fi territory. As a scientist, I can’t accept this.

My ears are ringing.

2006/04/19 03:11

I’m in really bad shape. There’s some buzzing in my ears that sounds like bells. It’s a hindrance to sleep.

2006/04/22 06:24

I

ca n

he

ar

so n ds

Characters

Brother Nier

PERSONAL DATA

Nier

Gender

Male

Age

First part: 16

Second part: 21

Height

First part: 157cm

Second part: 183cm

Weapons

Single-handed swords, two-handed swords, spears, magic

Hair color

A shade of silver close to white

Eye color

Blue with a hint of gray

Father Nier

PERSONAL DATA

Nier

Gender

Male

Age

First part: 39

Second part: 44

Height

185cm

Weapons

Single-handed swords, two-handed swords, spears, magic

Hair color

A shade of silver close to white

Eye color

Blue with a hint of gray

Yonah

PERSONAL DATA

Yonah

Gender

Female

Age

First part: 7

Second part: 12

Height

First part: 132cm

Second part: 160cm

Weapons

None

Hair color

Gilded silver

Eye color

Gray with a hint of blue

Kaine

PERSONAL DATA

Kaine

Gender

Hermaphrodite

Age

17

Height

172cm

Weapons

Two swords, magic

Hair color

Silvery white with blue

Eye color

Dark purple

Emil

PERSONAL DATA

Emil

Gender

Male

Age

Unknown

Height

145cm

Weapons

Rod, magic(eyes of petrifaction)

Hair color

Gold

Eye color

Pale purple

No. 7

PERSONAL DATA

Experimental weapon no.7

Gender

Male

Age

Unknown

Height

132cm

Weapons

Rod, magic

Devola

PERSONAL DATA

Devola

Gender

Female

Age

24(appearance wise)

Height

160cm

Weapons

None

Hair color

Maroon tinted with red

Eye color

Gray tinted with aqua

Popola

PERSONAL DATA

Popola

Gender

Female

Age

24(appearance wise)

Height

160cm

Weapons

None

Hair color

Maroon tinted with red

Eye color

Gray tinted with aqua

Grimoire Weiss

PERSONAL DATA

Grimoire Weiss

Gender

Male(?)

Age

?

Height

30cm long x 23 cm wide x 7cm thick

Weapons

Magic, spiteful tongue

King of Facade

PERSONAL DATA

King of Facade

Gender

Male

Age

First part: 10

Second part: 15

Height

First part: 130cm

Second part: 175cm

Weapons

Spear

Hair color

Silver tinted with red

Eye color

Gray tinted with aqua

Vier (Fyra)

PERSONAL DATA

Vier

Gender

Female

Age

First part: 5

Second part: 10

Height

First part: 135cm

Second part: 164cm

Weapons

None

Hair color

?(can’t be seen due to mask)

Eye color

?(can’t be seen due to mask)

Grimoire Noir

PERSONAL DATA

Grimoire Noir

Gender

Male(?)

Age

?

Height

30cm long x 23 cm wide x 7cm thick

Weapons

Magic

Shadowlord

PERSONAL DATA

Shadowlord

Gender

Male(?)

Age

?

Height

?

Weapons

Single-handed sword, magic

Hair color

?

Eye color

?

Tyrann

PERSONAL DATA

Tyrann

Gender

Male

Age

?

Height

?

Weapons

?

Hair color

?

Eye color

?

The Abyss of [Project Nier] Vol. 1

Translated by Defade

Nier A.D. 2049 & A.D. 2053

CV: Okamoto Nobuhiko

A world where the mysterious epidemic “White Chlorination Syndrome” started to spread when the red dragon fell. Humans who are infected with this disease either die from chlorination, or become ferocious and attack other humans. The Japanese government feared the further spread of the strange disease, and brought a complete lockdown upon its source, Tokyo – Shinjuku. As a result of this, Shinjuku has been transformed into a district of death, in which Nier wanders with his only relative, Yonah.

When he ran out of food to give to Yonah and was left with no choice, purely by coincidence, he caught wind of the country’s “Salvation Support Plan” that provides food and medical care (a ruse to gather people. It was actually a human experimentation site designed to find the “original Gestalt”, who can keep his own consciousness even after going through the “Gestalt process”. Of course, Nier and Yonah didn’t know that). Along with Yonah, Nier headed towards the facility that provided support as a last resort. However, neither food nor medicine was given out at the facility, but mysterious books (clones of “Grimoire Noir” that forces humans who come in contact with it to become Gestalts), so he became suspicious of the support plan. When the surrounding crowd touched the books, becoming Gestalts and gradually transforming into “relapsed Gestalts”, Nier was sure that they were deceived, and ran away from the facility with Yonah. But they were discovered by a crowd of relapsed Gestalts while trying to hide in an abandoned super market, and the situation turned grim. In order to protect Yonah from the attacking relapsed Gestalts, he was forced into making a great choice…

Nier A.D. 3361 & A.D. 3465

CV: Okamoto Nobuhiko(part 1), Yusa Koji (part 2)

The protagonist who dotes upon Yonah, his only relative. To save Yonah, who was infected with the incurable “Black Scrawl Disease”, he embarks upon a journey in search of the “Sealed Verses” with Grimoire Weiss. He has a gentle and bright personality, but because he’s always thinking of Yonah, he often neglects other things in favor of her. He is very indifferent to his own feelings, and though he was gradually drawn to Kaine, whom he met during his travels, he remained oblivious of those feelings. In “NieR Replicant”, he is sixteen (the story takes place in A.D. 3465), and Yonah is his sister. In “NieR Gestalt”, he is thirty-eight (the story takes place in A.D. 3361), and Yonah is his daughter. In the planning stages, “the story of siblings” was the only idea, but taking into account the different markets for the platforms, “the story of a sturdy father fighting to protect her daughter” was born. Moreover, the character you control in the game is “Replicant Nier”, who was given the job of managing the body created from the data of “Gestalt Nier” (“Gestalt Nier”, who solely exists as a soul appears as the “Shadowlord” that takes away Yonah from him). The name “Nier” has no specific origin. Soul and body, the two existences that should be the closest to each other were torn apart and brought into conflict for their respective goals. It is nothing but irony that the protagonist was named a word that brings to mind “near”. Also, his name could be changed freely by the player. When you reach ending D and lose all of your “Memories(save data)”, you won’t be able to use the name you used in said memory(if your system data remains the same).

Shadowlord

CV: -

Gestalt Nier, who deeply loves Yonah, his only relative. Long time ago, he chose to go through the Gestalt process to protect Yonah, and became the first one to succeed at “keeping his own consciousness as a Gestalt” amongst countless experiments. That fact came to the attention of the “World Purification Organization”, the instigator of “Gestalt Project”, and they recognized him as a “stabilized case”, calling him the original Gestalt. They claimed that by “freezing Yonah’s body for 1000 years, they could stop her from relapsing”, and requested his provision of the “demonic element” (with the demonic element, people other than Nier could turn into Gestalts while keeping their consciousness and preventing themselves from relapsing) in exchange for putting Yonah into cold sleep. However, he realized that even after the promised 1000 years, there was no way of saving Yonah, and that the replicants somehow gained their own consciousness in between. This in turn induced his wrath, and he tried to forcibly return “Gestalt Yonah”’s soul to “Replicant Yonah”’s body and halt her relapsing.

Yonah

CV: Nonaka Ai

Nier’s sister (daughter in “NieR Gestalt”). She touched Grimoire Noir by accident and turned into a Gestalt, and began to relapse. Because the soul, Gestalt Yonah, was kept in her near-relapsed state, Replicant Yonah who was made from her data will always get the black scrawl disease. The Shadowlord (Gestalt Nier) realized that Gestalt Yonah's relapse couldn’t be stopped, and planned to give his all to put her soul into Replicant Yonah. On the other hand, the androids who managed the replicants, Devola and Popola, observed that the amount of relapsed gestalts is increasing from the Shadowlord’s rampage. They used Replicant Nier, making him gather “Grimoire Weiss” and the “Sealed Verses”. This was to activate the system of Grimoire Noir and Grimoire Weiss before all gestalts relapsed. Through the energy released through the two books’ fusion, all gestalts should’ve been able to return to their replicant’s bodies safely. Her name comes from one of the old testament’s books, the “Book of Jonah”.

Devola & Popola

CV: Shiraishi Ryouko

A pair of twins who are the central figures in Nier’s village. Their true identities are androids made to provide support when the day has come for gestalts to return to the replicant’s vessels. They are tasked with extracting data from gestalts’ souls, making new replicants’ bodies, and returning a dead replicant’s data to its gestalt. They managed the replicants for over 1000 years, but due to the Shadowlord’s (Gestalt Nier) rampage, they decided to execute a plan to forcibly return gestalt souls to replicant bodies. This is a direction programmed in them by the World Purification Organization 1300 years ago. Because they’re androids, they don’t have feelings, just like replicants. However, through a long period of time, replicants somehow gained the same feelings as those of a human, and began to adopt a lifestyle similar to them. While watching over those replicants, they gained feelings of “envy”, and they began to become similar to humans. However, they did not realize their newfound feelings until one second away from being slain by replicant Nier. Their names come from the weapon “Devolapopola” in “Drag-on-Dragoon”.

Grimoire Weiss

CV: Peter

The “Sealed Book” that contrasts with Grimoire Noir, it was made as the one with the key to the Gestalt Project. It can understand human language because a human’s gestalt was put into the vessel that is Grimoire Weiss. It was programmed to give off great power when it fused with Grimoire Noir after gaining the “Sealed Verses”. In the Gestalt Project, that power was supposed to be used to forcibly drag all gestalts’ souls into their replicant bodies. However, when it awakened in the Lost Shrine, its memories were a mess due to replicant Nier’s violent method of waking it up. As a result of that, it ignored the Shadowlord, Devola & Popola who wished for the fusion between replicants and gestalts, along with Grimoire Noir, who wanted to fuse. It became the comrade of replicants. Also, because Grimoire Weiss is surrounded by high-level magic, it’ll be fine even when splashed with water. If its surrounding decorations were taken off, it’s possible to wash it whole. Its name comes from the German word Weiss (white).

Grimoire Noir

CV: Tachiki Fumihiko

The sealed book opposite Grimoire Weiss, it made a contract with the leader of gestalts, the Shadowlord (Gestalt Nier), and tried to fuse with Grimoire Weiss in order to return the gestalts’ souls to replicants. Like Grimoire Weiss, it’s also a book infused with a human’s gestalt. Its name came from the French word Noir (black).

Kaine

CV: Tanaka Atsuko

The heroine. As a response to the harassment she received in her childhood for being a hermaphrodite, she had taken a liking to clothes that emphasize feminine characteristics. She holds both love and respect for her grandmother Curly, who accepted her and treated her as a woman. Her crude speech and action were both due to the influence of Curly. Her grandmother was killed mercilessly by a Shade, and Kaine herself bore a life-threatening injury back then. When half of her body was taken over by the Shade “Tyrann”, she became a “Shade-possessed” and gained humanly impossible battle power and the ability to hear the voices of Shades(humans who went through the Gestalt proccess). By becoming possessed, Kaine suffered even more persecution and lived only to exact her revenge even if it means using the powers of a Shade. However, influenced by her meeting with Nier (replicant Nier), who lived an upright life even under excruciating circumstances, her heart began to change. After exacting her revenge, she took up her sword for the sake of her comrade, Nier. When they first met, she only treated Nier as her traveling companion, but after reviving from petrifaction, she gradually began to recognize him as a male. By the way, she’s a hermaphrodite because a female development staff from Cavia commented “How about we make the heroine into a male…” to director Yokoo. The kanji of her name was meant to be “壊音”(broken sound). It doesn’t really have a specific origin, and is probably a development staff’s made-up language. For Kaine, who can hear “the voice of the Shades’ souls”, does their dying breath sound “broken”? Maybe she can even hear the “sound of herself breaking".

Tyrann

CV: Morikubo Shoutarou

The gestalt of someone other than Kaine, who shares her body. He feels at home in Kaine’s trauma-filled heart, and planned to take over her body in her moment of weakness. When Kaine suffered a life-threatening wound, he managed to take over her body successfully for once, but was forced to give it up through the combined efforts of Nier (replicant Nier) and Emil. Touched by Kaine’s heart wavering between hatred for Shades and love for Nier, he began to take interest in replicants even as a gestalt. If Tyrann managed to take over Kaine’s body – not his own replicant – the “Gestalt Project” might possibly move towards a new direction. Also, his name “Tyrann” means “tyrant” in German.

Curly

CV: Yokoo Mari

Kaine’s grandmother. She has a crude and violent personality, but loves and cares for Kaine from the bottom of her heart, trying her best to protect Kaine. She made Kaine wear feminine clothes, gave her the hard to obtain flower, the legendary “Lunar Tear” as a hair decoration and showered her with love. She died from being trampled by a Shade right in front of Kaine’s eyes. Her name comes from the orphan that lives with "Peter Pan".

Story Guide

The Abyss of [Project Nier] Vol. 2

Translated by Defade

Emil, Experimental Weapon No. 7

CV: Kadowaki Mai

“Project Snow White” – to create weapons in opposition to “Legions” that have become ferocious due to the White Chlorination Syndrome. He is the 7th body born from human experimentation. The greatest amount of power has been given to “Experimental Weapon No. 6” already, and for restraint, Emil was given “eyes of stone” that could petrify even No. 6. However, he could not control the sheer amount of power, and would petrify all that he sees. To stop that from happening, he began to seal his eyes with a blindfold and live with his eyes closed. He used to be reproachful of himself for having special powers, but gives unconditional trust to Nier (replicant Nier) and Kaine, who accepted him without hesitation. Especially towards Nier, for whom he harbors feelings close to ‘love’, however, Nier himself did not realize that. His feelings did not go unnoticed by Kaine though, who also harbored similar feelings towards Nier, and this became one of the many factors troubling her (Emil wasn’t aware of that). After assimilating with No. 6, he gained even greater magical prowess and the ability to control petrifaction, but his appearance is now that of an ugly skeleton. He also attained incredible vitality, as he could survive even as a head. Emil’s name comes from “Ludwig Emil Grimm” (the younger brother of the Grimm Brothers). He was named in connection to “Snow White”. (In early development stages, he was named even more directly as “Snow”)

Halua, Experimental Weapon No.6

CV: -

Emil’s older sister. A beautiful young girl that shares many similarities with Emil, she loves to dote on her little brother. At a certain facility, her body was converted and transformed into the strongest weapon “Experimental Weapon No. 6”. However, because her human heart was still left intact even after the remodeling, she went berserk. Her powerful magic could not be controlled by the researchers. As a result, her brother Emil was remodeled to keep a watch on her. In the end, she understood Emil’s desire, and disappeared after entrusting her power to him. Her name comes from a confectionary much liked throughout the Middle Eastern countries. Also, in the early development stages, there were plans of her being a party member instead of Emil.

Prince of Façade

King of Façade

CV: Ayasato Maru/Shigematsu Yousuke

The leader of the “Façade” who follow a set of “rules”. To regain the country’s lost trust as a result of his predecessor dying from Black Scrawl Disease, he entered the Barren Temple to obtain the proof of kingship, a “mask”. There he met with Nier (replicant Nier), who came to save him, and they cultured a solid friendship. Though rules offer important order, he instinctively understood that he cannot proceed if he was bound by them. During his wedding with his childhood friend, Fyra, she was killed by the wolves, and he attacked the wolf pack with Nier and others. He accomplished his revenge. He feels deeply grateful towards Nier, who often put his life on the line for him, and brought his subjects to battle with the Shades to save Nier when he was cornered in the Shadowlord’s Castle. Also, his real name is “Sechs”, the number 6 in German.

Vier(Fyra)

CV: Ayasato Maru

She was abandoned as a child due to the burn marks on her face, and set to work in the Façade. She follows the rule that doesn’t allow people without a family registrar to talk, and communicates in body language with the people in town. When she was young, she was once saved from the wolves by Kaine, and greatly respects Kaine as her savior. Also, she harbors straightforward feelings towards the prince of Façade, who called her his “first friend” and her wishes were granted when she was 15. She was to become the queen after marrying him. However, to protect the king from the wolves attacking in the middle of the wedding, she gave up her young life. Her name comes from “Vier”, the number 4 in German.

Adviser

CV: Hayashi Masayori

An old soldier that accompanied the king of Façade and his predecessor, he is the king’s adviser. He’s almost a walking encyclopedia of the town’s “rules”, and the wild king of Façade often gave him many headaches. However, he acknowledges the king’s qualities, and often finds many choice words for him. The king of Façade also understands that, and gives his complete trust to the adviser. His real name is “Neun”, the number 9 in German.

The older brother in Junk Heap

“NieR RepliCant”: Jiminy

“NieR Gestalt”: Jakob

CV: Naruse Makoto

A steady young man that raises his younger brother at the foot of Junk Heap. Ever since his mother disappeared with her lover, he entered the Junk Heap to collect metals and robot parts, making a living by reinforcing weapons with them. Although he knew why his mother left and that she’s dead, he’s strong enough to keep up a brave front before his brother. Through his dealings with Nier(replicant Nier), he realized that he admired his mother even though she was terrible. In the end, he was caught beneath falling machines due to his brother’s mistake and died. Also, his name is different between the two gaming platforms. The name Jiminy comes from the character Jiminy Cricket in “Pinocchio”.

The younger brother in Junk Heap: Gideon

CV: Tamura Mutsumi

A young boy who lives with his brother in Junk Heap. For a long time, he behaved like a spoiled child in front of his brother, and would flaunt his status as a younger brother as an excuse for his selfish words and actions. However, after his mother disappeared, he became overtly dependent on his brother, so when he lost his brother through his own mistakes, his personality began to break down. He managed to keep his ego by making himself believe that the robot caused his brother’s death, and continued making strong weapons to exact his revenge on the robot. Also, he remembers ripping off his brother’s arm while trying to pull his corpse out of the debris, a memory that caused him much trauma. After that, he began injuring his own arm, eventually going overboard and requiring an artificial arm for his left arm. His name comes from the cat in the fairytale “Pinocchio”.

The mother of the brothers in Junk Heap: Blue

She ran away from her abusive ex-husband and began living with her children. However, she despised her harsh life, and would constantly abuse her own children. She didn’t have a job, didn’t take care of her own children and barely cooked for them, so the older brother became the main support of the family even back then. She met a man who made advances towards her, and abandoned her children in hopes of crossing the mountain and escaping. However, she was killed mercilessly by the defense system in the bowels of the mountain. Her name comes from “Pinocchio”, the Blue Fairy that gave life to Pinocchio.

The man who ran away with the mother: Carlo

The man who ran away with Blue, a woman who lived at the foot of Junk Heap. He tells Blue to abandon her children and head towards a new haven, maybe out of his young, reckless and ambitious personality. He has no love for Blue’s children. His name comes from Carlo Collodi, the author of “Pinocchio”.

The old woman in the lighthouse: Ursula

CV: Wada Michiru

An old woman who lives in the lighthouse in Seafront. She’s loud and stubborn, and behaves less than pleasantly most of the times, so the residents have learnt to avoid her. She made Nier (replicant Nier) run many errands for her and overworked him. However, even she would show expressions like that of an innocent young girl when talking of her husband who could not come back because he was injured in foreign countries. Actually, her husband is already dead, but she did not realize it. Due to her worry and anxiousness at her progressing Black Scrawl disease, she hoped to cross the sea and go to her husband, but she died without ever having that wish granted.

The postman: Hans

CV: Yasumoto Hiroki

A postman who takes his job seriously. He was worried about Ursula, who lived in the lighthouse alone without trying to gain understanding from anyone. He knew that his husband had already left this world, but could not bring himself to tell her that, and continued to deliver letters to her that he wrote under the pretense of her husband, never knowing whether he was doing the right thing or not. This fake and hypocritical action was a tradition passed on from his father’s generation, and Hans simply could not give up on it out of his own will. He possesses conflicting feelings of relief and regret at the old woman having passed away without knowing the truth. His name comes from the author of “The Little Mermaid”, Hans Christian Andersen.

System Capture

The moonflower color change induced by one neighbor

Planted Color

Neighboring color and changes

Red

Gold

Indigo

White

Red: 80%/Orange:20%

Red:95%/Indigo:20%

Red:70%/White:30%

Gold

Red

Blue

White

Gold:80%/Orange:20%

Gold80%/Indigo:20%

Gold:70%/White:30%

Blue

Gold

Peach

White

Blue:80%/Indigo:20%

Blue:80%/Indigo:20%

Blue:70%/White:30%

Orange

Peach

Indigo

White

Orange:99%/White:1%

Orange:90%/Peach:10%

Orange:70%/White:30%

Peach

Blue

Orange

White

Peach:80%/Indigo:20%

Peach:99%/White:1%

Peach:70%/White:30%

Indigo

Red

Orange

White

Indigo:95%/Peach:5%

Indigo:90%/Peach:10%

Indigo:70%/White:30%

The moonflower color changes induced by two neighbors of same color

Planted Color

Neighboring colors and changes

Red

Gold

Indigo

Red:70%/Orange:30%

Red:90%/Peach:10%

Gold

Red

Blue

Gold:70%/Orange:30%

Gold:70%/Indigo:30%

Blue

Gold

Peach

Blue:70%/Indigo:30%

Blue:70%/Indigo:30%

Orange

Peach

-

Orange:90%/White:10%

-

Peach

Blue

Orange

Peach:70%/Indigo:30%

Peach:90%/White:10%

Indigo

Red

Peach

Indigo:90%/Peach:10%

Indigo:80%/Peach:20%

Playback Nier

Quest

The Abyss of [Project Nier] Vol. 3

Translated by Defade

Hensel & Gretel

They’re the pair of Shades that guard “Grimoire Weiss” in the Lost Shrine. They hold great trust in each other, have very high self-esteem and take pride in their time spent guarding “Grimoire Weiss”. After Hensel was destroyed by Nier (replicant Nier), Gretel sunk into a period of madness, for a long time appearing to have lost its heart. However, it was touched by the gentleness of the small Shades, whom it once looked down due to its arrogance, and began to feel shame at how prideful they used to be. In the end, it acknowledged the small Shades as its comrades, and wished to become stronger to protect them. However, it was defeated along with the small Shades it was supposed to protect by Nier, who was looking for clues to the Shadowlord’s castle. Their names come from the Grimm fairytale “Hensel and Gretel”.

Hook

The Shade you fight at the Aerie. It killed Kaine’s grandmother mercilessly, and is the object of Kaine’s revenge, which she dearly wishes death upon. It’s an entity created from the aggregation of numerous gestalts. Due to its inflated ego, it takes joy in cruel acts like massacring replicants and tarnishing the memories of others. It has long lost its consciousness as one entity and went berserk. Its name comes from Captain Hook, a character from the fairytale “Peter Pan”.

Wendy

The gigantic Shade you fight in your first visit to Aerie in years after Kaine’s revival. Like Hook, it’s also an aggregation of ‘gestalts’, but it has also absorbed the consciousness of the replicants, who were supposed to be no more than pseudo-personalities. Because of that, it no longer has reason or identity, and its words were a jumbled mess. It has transformed into a lump of hatred, spitting out curse-like words as it moves along. Its name comes from the heroine in “Peter Pan.”

Defense System/Geppetto

CV: Kadowaki Mai

The huge defense system you battle in the depths of Junk Heap. It was once a system used in experiments testing the endurance of weapons and robots that were made in Junk Heap’s military factory. It has gone out of order after long years, and whenever it detects an intruder, it’ll activate its systems and begin the endurance experiment, regardless of whether the intruder is a gestalt or replicant…its name comes from Pinocchio’s father, the watchmaker Geppetto in the fairytale “the Adventures of Pinocchio”.

Cleo

A child Shade chased into the Junk Heaps by a group of replicants on a Shade hunt. It’s still young, and has a straightforward and cute demeanor. Its mother loved him deeply, and became a decoy to let its escape, being killed by replicants in the process. After that, Cleo met P-33 in the depths of Junk Heap, and stayed with it. Its name comes from a goldfish named Cleo in “the Adventures of Pinocchio”.

P-33

CV: Yasumoto Hiroki

A security robot at Junk Heap that works faithfully according to its mission. After Geppetto’s destruction, it met Cleo in a coincidence after losing sight of its mission. It was taught many things and admired by Cleo, and sometime in between, “protecting Cleo” became its priority. Of course, it’s not used to dealing with kids, but despite its lack of skill, it tries its best to avoid hurting Cleo; the importance it places in Cleo could almost be called blind devotion. The P that goes before its type number 33 was taken from “the Adventures of Pinocchio” – the first letter of the main character, Pinocchio’s, name.

Sleeping Beauty

A strange tree that shows dreams of death to the inhabitants of a foggy and mysterious forest. Its true identity is a huge network computer that runs on demonic element, and it drops hints suggestively telling of truth. It’s working to keep the web of memories that has been torn apart following the destruction of the world. Its name comes from the fairytale “Sleeping Beauty”.

Shahriyar

An entity that resides the deepest part of the Barren Temple in the desert. It’s in charge of testing whether a royal has the qualities of a king, and oversees the ritual of bestowing the king’s mask upon the fit. If a king dies, his mask is returned to it. Its method of attacking hints at the presence of an ego, perhaps a gestalt has possessed the statue? Its name comes from the king of Persia, Shahriyar, that appears in “the Arabian Nights”. It’s interesting how the name of a foolish king that takes on and executes numerous wives is used as the name of “one who chooses a king” in the game.

Leader of the wolves: Roc

The leader of the pack of wolves that take up residence in the desert. As one that gathers the wolves, it is a mixture of nobility and severity. 1300 years ago, the leader of wolves used to be a dog. It was raised by an old man, and underwent the gestalt process, gaining eternal life in the place of his owner. Due to its fond memories of the old man’s care, it wishes to live in peace without coming into conflict with the humanoid replicants. However, it understands that those replicants have deprived them of their habitat and killed many of their comrades. In the end, it realizes that they cannot coexist and leads its pack on a battle to end all battles with the replicants. Its name comes from the huge bird Roc that Sinbad meets in the “Arabian Nights”.

Grimoire Rubrum

One of the sealed books, it sleeps within the depths of Emil’s mansion. A gestalt was sealed inside, granting it powerful magic. However, unlike Grimoire Weiss and Grimoire Noir, it was not programmed to be able to understand and converse in human language, and was limited to support those two books. Its name comes from the word for red in Latin, Rubrum.

The Knave of Hearts

An aggregation of many gestalts. It has lost anything that could be called a personality or ego, and has strong destructive urges. However, it remembers its given duty of “taking replicant Yonah to the Shadowlord (gestalt Nier)”. For that reason, it kept moving on towards the library in which Yonah is hiding, after reviving numerous times thanks to its overwhelming vitality. Its name comes from the card soldier that serves the Queen of Hearts in the fairytale “Alice in Wonderland”, the Knave of Hearts.

Goose

An aggregation borne from the fusion of gestalt babies and their parent. Because it’s not a fusion between relapsed gestalts, its reasoning capabilities and will are still intact. It burns with rage at Nier (replicant) and his companions that have mercilessly slaughtered its many friends. It revives after being killed uncountable times because of the huge number of gestalts being used in its fusion, and is definitely not immortal. Its name comes from “Mother Goose”.

Concept Works

Translated by Defade

[41] Facial sketch of his younger days. The idea of a hair band was present in the beginning.

[42] Short hair, and very little skin exposure.

[43] The princely figure of a young nobleman.

[44] What nobleman Nier looks like after growing up.

[45] A sketch with an in game screenshot in mind.

[46] Default sketch of Yonah. A pretty girl that gives off the image of light.

[47] Yonah with a stuffed toy.

[48] An eyecatch slipped on the title page of the settings.

[49] An eyecatch to reflect development progress ver.2.

[50] So cute it’s a sin.

[51] Compared with the finished product, her dress is made of better fabric.

[52] The idea of a sleeping beauty is present from the beginning. It might be possible for her to grow to Kaine proportions?

[53] Kaine’s image color used to be red or black. I never thought that she’d end up being called a ‘hussy’.

[54] Kaine with a dagger. Her hair design was kept pretty much the same.

[55] A huge contrast with [54]. She hid her violent tendencies.

[56] Child Kaine. This was before she got possessed by Tyran.

[57] Default setting of no.7, who was called “Halua” at this stage. The information I got was “a nice character who supports Nier”.

[58] Sketch of no.7’s head, which looks more like a hard-boiled egg than a skull.

[64] Portrait of young Nier. That’s when his hairstyle and clothing became very close to the finished product.

[65] A sketch of the Shadowlord completed at pretty much the same time as [60]’s Halua.

[66~70] Project plans made at the initial stages of “Nier Project”. The keywords from back then, “Love” “A world on its path to destruction” “Word system” were passed onto “Nier Gestalt” and “Nier Replicant”.

[72] World map where you can see “the Aerie”, “the Forest of Myth” etc. The basic settings were kept consistent.

[73] “Nier” who began his battle after attaining the power of “Grimoire Endia”. Saving his sister from an incurable disease was a concept present back then.

[74] Half of her body was possessed by a Shade, so “Kaine” sealed herself in order to protect Nier. She was supposed to have “Grimoire Schwert”.

[75] Young “Nier”.

[76] The sorceress “Halua” who controls “Grimoire Magie”, she looks like a mix between human and pig. She was a young girl, took her present form in exchange for magic.

[77] “Humpty Dumpty”. The eighth book “Grimoire Axe”.

[78] “Henzel”. The third book “Grimoire Phantasm”. It’s good at doing combination attacks with another giant “Gretel”, and this setting stayed in the finished product.

[79] “Dorothy”. Closes in upon children with a smile and devours their souls. The twelfth book “Grimoire Virga”.

[80] The users of “Grimoire Endia” suffer the utmost torment physically, and pitch black darkness descends upon their minds. However, if they wish for power for their most beloved, they shall attain the power to change the world. Even if the same power guides the world to its destruction.

1 Brief overview of "Project Gestalt" seen from summary picture

2 Initiation, process and changes of "Project Gestalt"

At approximately 3:00 PM on June 12, 2003, an immense white statue (the "Giant") appears in Shinjuku [in Tokyo].

At the same time, a red dragon-like entity (the "Dragon") appears and does battle with the Giant. The principles behind, and effects of, these attacks are unknown.

The Japan Self-Defense Forces study how to attack this Giant and Dragon. An emergency Cabinet-level committee is formed.

At 4:00 PM, the Giant falls. What the Giant is made of unable to be determined, and at this time damage on the ground is comparatively light. (suggested correction from Yuugure: "Mass wasn't observed from the giant")

After the fall of the Dragon, the Scarface, of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 6th Air Wing, 303rd Squadron, attacks the dragon. Its body is secretly taken to a government research facility.

This incident becomes known as the "6-12 Incident". It results in 56 dead, 320 injured, and total economic losses of over 60 billion yen.

A gag order is issued regarding the events of 6-12, but by this time information is already leaking onto chanels such as the internet. Fears of terrorism and foreign plots swirl. Chaos.

September

Summit held

Three months after the incident, an international summit (Japan, the USA, China, and Russia participating) is held regarding 6-12.

The USA suspects terrorism and prepares for a hardened stance against a hypothetical enemy. The Japanese government considers a large increase in the military budget.

December

A mysterious infection

In Shinjuku, Tokyo, a disease appears in which victims' bodies gradually chlorinate. Its origins are unknown, and its fatality rate is 100%.

Research begins on this disease. At this time, the disease is believed to be very rare, only occurring under certain conditions. The outlook is optimistic.

Among the infected, some begin to go berserk. These infected gather in Shinjuku, causing a "hollowing-out" or deindustrialization of this region.

Various countries pressure Japan to make progress on the disease.

May - Berserk people continue to appear in Shinjuku

More and more infected appear in Shinjuku. Research reveals that the disease creates people who go berserk, and people who die.

June

The disease is named "White Chlorination Syndrome"

A medical group which has been researching the disease since December 2003 makes a presentation. They do not know what causes "berserking" and "death", but know that they stem from the same disease.

[Tokyo] Prefectural Hall [which had been in western Shinjuku] is moved. Porposals are floated to move [the national government in] Nagata-cho and the Emperor's Residence, but the Imperial Household Agency refuses.

Nagata-cho refuses to move, citing concerns about the ability to fill a quorum in the Diet

July

Shinjuku's Danger Level is raised to 4

The danger level in Shinjuku reaches its highest level yet; transportation stoppages and roadblocks are seen

September

Plan to seal Shinjuku announced

The Japanese government receives further reports of infection trajectories, and annouces a plan to physically seal off Shinjuku.

Opposition movements and protests on moral grounds begin. A newspaper survey indicates that the majority of respondents are opposed (but on the internet, most respondents are in favor).

In Shinjuku, a certain important person is attacked and killed by a person who has been infected by White Chlorination and has gone berserk. The mass media jumps on the story, and public opinion begins to trend toward sealing Shinjuku.

October

Shinjuku Sealing Plan implemented; Wall of Jericho erected

An immense wall, later called the Wall of Jericho, is erected to physically seal Shinjuku away.

Announcement that forcible suppression of people made berserk by White Chlorination will continue. Opposing demonstrations occur in various countries, along with world-wide criticism of the Japanese government.

December

Final pictures of inside the wall are leaked

Transmissions sent my members of the media who voluntarily remained behind the wall in Shinjuku are abruptly cut off. The final film is cut-off with a scream as a giant white being appears. This image is not released (but leaks through the internet).

December 2005

Transmission of WCS, then silence

The JSDF and vigilante groups continue to rout the berserkers. The number of berserkers begins to decrease.

The Japanese government announces that transmission of WCS infection has temporarily quieted; research on it continues.

May 2006

Truth behind WCS is discovered

Research results are presented to the government: whether the person infected with WCS will die or go berserk is determined at the genetic level. (The opinion is that people with slight irregularities in some chromosomes have a high probability of going berserk.)

This result is not announced publicly; rather, research continues in secret. (It is later revealed that this is a mistaken interpretation due to falsified data.)

2006, month unknown

Attack on the research facility holding the dragon's body

An incident where the research facility is attacked for the body of the dragon is prevented by security, the police, and the JSDF.

Rumors swirl linking the incident to religious organizations or to North America. JSDF actions become extreme.

October 2007

Irregularity in aerial photography of Shinjuku

A strange black dot appears in aerial photographs of Shinjuku. (It is reported, but not considered important.)

Research on the body of the dead Dragon, which had been progressing in secret, proves the truth of the "multiple world theory", which states that another world exists in a separate universe from this one.

Research on the intrusion from the other world erveals the existence of particles that should not exist in this one.

These particles are shown to be from the body of the Giant as it was destroyed on 6-12. These particles are later called "maso".

The origin of WCS is announced by researchers to be "maso".

It is shown that physical attacks (such as heat and nuclear) cannot destroy "maso"-generated WCS. Ironically, the shocks from nuclear attacks sent "maso" all over the world, expanding WCS to a global scale.

Transmission of the disease is shown to be through bodily fluids and waste. Coughing and spitting can transmit the contagious "maso", meaing that it is equivalent to an airborne disease.

Breakthroughs in various technological fields come about with the discovery of "maso".

Research on the "multiple-world theory" also continues, and it is shown that energy is stored all through the multiple worlds.

October 2011 - Attack on the research facility

An attack on the facility where the dragon's body is benig delivered occurs. The assailants are unknown, and the facility is destroyed.

The dragon's body is gone, and rumors (still at the speculative level) have a religious organization or North America behind the incident.

Reporting on the incident becomes unclear, and then stops completely.

March 2014 - The Gestalt Project begins

The Gestalt Project begins in an effort contain the spread of WCS. Research into "Gestaltisierung", in which souls are removed from human bodies, begins.

Gestalt experimentation on humans succeeds, as does another experiment that returns a "Gestaltized" person to his original body.

May - Research into "magic" begins.

Using "maso" to absorb energy from other worlds, and "create something from nothing" succeeds. This process is later called "magic".

2015, month unknown - Gestaltisierung fails to spread

The "Gestaltisierung" process is reviled by humans and fails to gain popularity

Research continues, however, and reaches a point where a solution is being sought for the problem of a Gestaltized soul having lost its body.

February 2016 - "Luciferase" complete

The medicine "Luciferase", which retards the progress of WCS, is completed.

May - "Luciferase Squad" formed

Luciferase is administered to selected people, who organize and form a military squad.

This organization succeeds in battles with Legion, and similar movements spread worldwide.

The "1st Crusade" squad forms with the mission to annihilate the Legion. They battle bravely, but are defeated.

December - "Hamelin Organization" formed

It is discovered that Luciferase is more effective with younger patients. Children with high physical ability are given preference in its administration, and urged into the squads.

The "5th Crusade" squad is formed, mainly of followers in their teenage years.

Children of high physical ability are scouted around the world, and the international "Hamelin Organization" is formed to raise them as a war machine.

2018 - National Weapons Laboratory founded

People inside the Japanese government call for a stronger military in opposition to the international Hamelin Organization.

The National Weapons Laboratory is founded with the purpose of using research on "maso" to vreate weapons. Its primary objective is to experiment on human beings to create more powerful humans.

The existence of this laboratory is made secret, and given the code name "Murasaki" [Purple] within the government.

2019 - See-saw battle between Legion and Crusaders

The Legion and the Crusaders continue to do battle, without one side able to remain on top. No better methods of fighting are able to be found, and Crusades are continuously sent into battle.

The Hamelin Organization begins to gain a greater voice in countries where there are more children.

The Japanese economy weakens as more survivors begin to gather in Kyushu.

2023 - Gap between rich and poor brings about worldwide crisis.

Heavy battles with the Legion causes the gap between rich and poor to widen. Slums expand all over the world as it enters a crisis.

January 2025 - "Replicantization" research confirmed

Preparation of "vessels" for Gestaltized humans, with the Gestalt then inserted into the vessel, succeeds.

Vessels, created based on the information obtained from the Gestaltized humans' bodies, are called "Replicants".

Techniques of "Replicantization" are developed as part of Project Gestalt.

June 2026 - Critical accident at the National Weapons Laboratory

Experiment No. 6, in the process of being created at the National Weapons Laboratory, runs amok. An emergency plan to seal off Experiment No. 7 is implemented.

Using "maso" in experimenting on humans is shown to be dangerous, and progress stalls. The scope of the research facility is scaled back significantly.

2030 - "Red Eye", leader of the Legion, is defeated.

The last "Red Eye", leader of the Legion, is killed in Jerusalem by the leader of the 13th Crusade.

With the defeat of the sentient Red Eye, Legion are unable to conduct unified movements.

The leader of the Crusaders, injured in the battle, dies.

2031 - WCS spreads

With the death of Red Eye, the physical threat from the Legion is avoided, but WCS continues to spread.

February 2032 - "Replicantization" research is revealed to the public

The twin processes of Gestaltization and Replicantization are revealed to the public. Certain upper-class people are already being Gestaltized.

March - Project Gestalt reaches final stages

More people come to accept Gestaltization

Human beings all over the world undergo Gestaltization, with their [corresponding] Replicants also being created. The "Replicant System", which can continue this process indefinitely, is created.

Objective to defeat Legion and perpetuate the Replicant System successfully implanted in non-sentient Replicants.

Project Gestalt moves to final stages. Battling Legion is left to the Replicants, and the Gestalts are put to sleep until such time as the world can come out of the pandemic.

"Androids", which can operate indefinitely, are placed at various points around the world as overseers of the Replicant System.

Replicants are ordered by Androids to gather the sickness-causing "maso". The gathered "maso" is then sent to the other world in a ceremony conducted by the Celebrant Android.

Because of the high costs involved, at this point only some people from the rich segments of society can undergo Gestaltization.

2033 - Grimoire Noir Project begins

Using multiple-world technology, it becomes possible to embed a Gestalt in a book-like vessel. Thirteen "sealing books", beginning with Grimoire Noir and Grimoire Weiss, are created.

Using the large amount of energy that comes about when Grimoire Noir and Grimoire Weiss are opened simultaneously, the "Grimoire Noir Project", which forcibly reinserts Gestalts into their corresponding Replicants, is devised.

A plan is devised to use this system to return Gestalts to their Replicants after Legion and WCS have been eradicated from the world.

2049 - Father Nier is Gestaltized [Nier: Gestalt]

(2053 - Brother Nier is Gestaltized) [Nier: Replicant]

There is a high probability that Gestaltized souls will lose their self-awareness go berserk after a certain amount of time has passed (these are called "relapsed" Gestalts). It is also discovered that after time has passed, they will die with certainty.

Analysis reveals that to stabilize a Gestalt's self-awareness, stable solid "maso" must be extracted from a Gestaltized person.

The World Purification Organization, in order to this stable solid, begins providing special clones of Grimoire Noir to poor people. This increases the number of Gestalts, and the search continues for a solid that does not relapse. (The Hamelin Organization is in charge of implementing this.)

Nier, who had been living in poverty, is tricked into thinking that his sister (daughter) Yonah's sickness can be cured, joins an experiment. However, seeing many relapses around him, he senses the danger in the experiment and escapes from the Hamelin Organization facility.

Nier and Yonah, seeking refuge in a Shinjuku supermarket, are attacked by relapses. Nier, seeing no way out of the situation, offers himself up for Gestaltization.

Nier successfully becomes a self-awareness-maintaining Gestalt

Yonah is accidentally Gestaltized, and begins to relapse immediately.

The Hamelin Organization contacts Nier, convincing him that in a thousand years, the sickness will be gone, and to place Yonah in cryogenic sleep. In exchange for putting Yonah into "cold sleep" for 1000 years, they demand "maso" (the kind that can keep Gestalts self-aware) from Nier.

Nier accepts the offer from the World Purification Organization, and begins providing "maso" as an "Original Gestalt".

2764 - Sentience begins to develop in Replicants

Replicants, who have been maintaining the system and extracting "maso", begin to develop sentience.

ca. 3000 - Replicants form civilization

Most Replicants have acquired sentience. Their development is influenced by their environments and is unrelated to their original Gestalts.

Civilizations and cultures develop rapidly, different depending on location; they are at approximately a medieval level, gathering and living around ancient artifacts.

3276 - Revival of "Red Eye"

The Replicants' purification of the world continues. As the number of Legion decreases dramatically, one young Replicant enters the forbidden land of "Jerusalem".

The young Replicant's goal is to "bring back his dead (Replicant) lover". He makes this wish, and from the white mist that was the body of the Red Eye, his lover suddenly takes form.

The revived lover has red eyes and little self-awareness; she kills the young Replicant on the spot with overwhelming force. She then, as the new Red Eye, becomes the leader of the Legion.

3287 - Destruction of the Legion

With the revival of Red Eye, the terror of the Legion returns. The world, which the Replicants had been protecting, is again on the brink of disaster.

An Android and four Replicants challenge the Red Eye, attacking it. They destroy the Legion and send the "maso" back to the other world. The purification of the world is confirmed.

3288 - Gestaltized humans begin awakening

With the world purified, Gestalts begin to awaken. Replicants who have acquired self-awareness, however, see them as "monsters" who would take their bodies.

A battle begins between Replicants and Gestalts. In some areas where Androids are solidly in control, it is revealed [to Replicants] that they should accept Gestalts, and Gestalts safely return to their human bodies.

ca. 3300 - Battle between Replicants and Gestalts intensifies

Gestalts aim to return to their Replicant bodies using the "Reviving Ceremony" in the Grimoire Noir Project.

Around this time, Gestalt Nier, who has been providing "maso" continuously for over 1000 years, begins to realize that Yonah will not come back to life if this continues.

3361 - Replicant Nier (Father) obtains Grimoire Weiss

(3465 - Replicant Nier (Brother) obtains Grimoire Weiss)

Gestalt Nier obtains the original Grimoire Noir in order to return Yonah to her Replicant body.

Devola and Popola, as Androids, set Gestalt Nier up as the savior of the Gestalts as part of the program initiated by the World Purification Organization. They assist his movements.

With the guidance of Devola and Popola, Replicant Nier obtains Grimoire Weiss. Devola and Popola have him acquire the Sealed Verses, and try to have him realize the goal of the Grimore Noir Project by having him fuse [Weiss] with Grimoire Noir.

Gestalt Nier already doubts the Grimore Noir Project. He abducts Replicant Yonah. He plans to return Gestalt Yonah to her Replicant, and himself to Replicant Nier.

Replicant Nier and Gestalt Nier face off in the "Shadowlord's Castle". Replicant Nier defeats Gestalt Nier, and because Gestalt Yonah has lost her own consciousness, Replicant Yonah reacquires hers.

With the death of Gestalt Nier, the Original Gestalt, Project Gestalt is unable to proceed. Humanity begins its inevitable decline.

3 The failure of "Project Gestalt" and the future of the world

Translated by Defade

"Project Gestalt" proceeded smoothly for the most part despite many unstable factors. However, its fatal flaw of "Gestalts relapsing", combined with a product of coincidence - "Replicants attaining self-awareness" ultimately decided its failure. Since the original Gestalt, Gestalt Nier died, all "Gestalts" will eventually relapse and die out. As a result, since the "Replicants" possess no reproductive abilities and need to copy the Gestalt's data to regenerate their bodies, they will die out within this generation. It is not known whether Replicant Nier, who slew Gestalt Nier, put the destruction of the world at his own hands and Yonah on a balance and intentionally chose the latter or not. However, as long as a new original Gestalt remains to be found, humanity will certainly become extinct in the near future.

Weapon Story

Nameless Blade

Lv. 1

GAK GAK GAK GAK

A man is sweating as he chips away at the iron ore.

Men's joyful singing fills the dark cave.

We are workers. We are miners.

Workers covered in dirt. Today we will mine for metal in high spirit too.

GAK GAK GAK GAK

Lv. 2

VROOM VROOM VROOM VROOM

The sound of women working the furnace can be heard in refinery.

The sound of red hot iron sand taken from the furance.

We are worker. We are iron makers.

Workers who utilizes the wind. Today we will make iron in high spirit too.

VROOM VROOM VROOM VROOM

Lv. 3

GAN GAN GAN GAN

The sound of hammering for the creation of a strong and powerful sword.

I am a swordsmith. A natural born swordsmith.

A swordsmith who controls steel.

GAN GAN GAN GAN

Lv. 4

SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH

The sound of flesh being slashed apart on the battlefield.

The sound of killing, killing whoever. The sound of killing people.

Can anyone help me. It hurts. It hurts.

Help me mother.

SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH

Iron Pipe

Lv. 1

May 21st

All the money is gone because of the food inflation caused the war.

A lot of injured people helped me out at the church.

Yonah is slimming down. I want to get her something good to eat.

Lv. 2

July 15th

Some nice ladies were able to get some food.

They are homeless people like us, we can join any countries' salvation groups.

They decided to let me go with them as well. Yonah is looking very lively today.

Lv. 3

August 1st

The nice ladies were turned into black monsters from that book.

I ran in fear.

That old lady isn't human anymore.

The adults were all lying.

We can't get any money from them, nor could Yonah get any examination for her sickness.

This city is barricaded by the high walls and there is no way back out.

I shouldn't have come here.

Lv. 4

August 5th

It's very cold today. Summer is a lie. There is a white atmosphere.

I decided to lose the monster and hid in the supermarket.

We ate some left-over canned food, but those are gone too.

Yonah kept on coughing. I am getting a bad feeling.

Kusanagi

Translated by Defade

The shield fastened to the wall gathered dust. The sword kept within its sheath rusted. I forgot skills that I no longer use. I left my trained body as it is. I lost my judging heart.

I thought that this could end without me telling anyone. I saw others’ violence, and pretended not to see. I gave up since I couldn’t change it anyways. I thought that I couldn’t go against great strength. I laughed at the hearts that believed.

I laughed at them for being worthless. That’s how I ran from everything. I gave up, thinking that it was impossible. Foolishness and ugliness brought me much lament. I lost my life’s meaning.

I lost sight of my treasured person. I could not keep believing in their gentleness. I could not save them from heart-tearing sorrow. I forgot the courage needed to protect mundane happiness. Because I thought, that these words will never reach.

Transience

Translated by Defade

Those people were scarily hardworking. They tore through forests and hunted animals though they had no need. They learned how to preserve food that they could not finish, and tried to unnecessarily save up money. However, there were none who questioned this. Because everyone was doing it.

Those people were scarily studious. They repeatedly did numerical calculations that had no application and predicted the future, repeating their arguments. They created numerous difficult languages, made tons of complicated machinery that they threw away right after. However, there were none who looked back. Because nobody realized.

Those people were scarily obedient. When the sun rises, they get up at the same time, put on the same clothes and began their work in a stuffy room out of their own will. However, there were none who complained. Because they did not know what to do otherwise.

Those people who overworked themselves lost the forest and live on sands now. Those people who were too smart for their own good could only talk in a language that nobody else understood. Those people who behaved too well could not defy the laws that were continuously made, and lived surrounded by tens and thousands of laws.

Beastcurse

Translated by Defade

Once upon a time there were three brothers in a kingdom. The youngest of the three was a lazy person who slept through his days. But the youngest brother had a cheerful demeanor, so he was liked by everyone.

Even when an epidemic broke out in the country, the youngest brother merely hummed to himself while lazing about the palace. But the people in the city found healing in his cheery voice so they praised him. That person is amazing. He really is.

Even when the country was involved in war, the youngest brother merely talked about things past while lazing about the palace. But the people in the city could forget the war with his anecdotes and comforted each other. That person is wonderful really wonderful.

One day the youngest brother was lazing about the palace again. But today he could not hear the voices of the people in the city. While lazing about, the youngest brother continued thinking…idle, “Why?” idle, “Why?” idle, “Why?” But he eventually became sleepy. In a country where everyone had died from sickness and war, only snores resounded throughout the palace today. This is a happy kingdom. A happy kingdom. A happy kingdom. A happy kingdom. A happy kingdom. A happy kingdom.

Beastlord

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Once upon a time there were three brothers in a kingdom. The eldest of the three was the ruling king of the country. The king was very cruel and feared by everyone.

The king chose a sacrifice from the people every day and executed them. Today he decapitated a mother in front of her family. The mother’s head rolled about three times, and fell beside her killed son’s head. Oh my, how unfortunate. The king saw that and laughed. A disgusting laugh. “Gehehe…”

One day, the king became sick. It was a disease that made his body rot while he was alive. Dragging his rotting body along, the king continued his executions. His advisors did not defy him, and continued executions day after day after day after day.

Finally the king rotted and died while giving off a very disgusting smell the king rotted and died but the advisors continued the executions in front of the king and killed them every day the rotten king and the rotten advisors and the rotten people and the rottenrottenyour

Beastbain

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Once upon a time there were three brothers in a kingdom. The second of the three was a mighty general leading the army. The army was very violent and feared by everyone.

The general loved wars. He liked seeing burning cities and rolling corpses. The general dedicated his life not to conquer, but to destroy. Soldiers trained like machines destroyed alllllllllllllll the villages and cities and countries for the general. The might general saw that and laughed. A vulgar laugh. “Guhuhuhu…”

The army marched on. They destroyed the winter country, the eastern country, the southern country indiscriminately. Obeying the absolute orders of the mighty general, for yeaaaaaaaaaaaars and years they killed and killed and killed and killed and killed and killed and killed.

Eventually the army reached a certain country. They pierced the people in the city the armies the princess the prince with their spears and killed them. In the end a general begged for his life while crying but he was killed right away. The general’s face seemed familiar. The soldiers tried to remember, but the general’s daughter appeared and they were absorbed in killing her, and did not think about it again.

Phoenix Spear

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In a country near the border, there was a warrior who did not fear death. His formidable body was so sturdy that even arrows could not seem to pierce them. Because of that, the warrior constantly threw himself in the midst of the battlefield.

Once, a beautiful bird appeared in the warrior’s dreams. The bird praised the brave and fierce warrior, and whispered to him that it could fulfill one of two wishes – “end the war and make the world into a peaceful one” or “attain immortality”. The warrior wanted “immortality”.

Ever since then, the warrior in battle became a sight to behold. He cut down enemies like grass, and no matter how many arrows have been shot at him, no matter how many swords he’s been showered in, he remained perfectly fine and continued to cut open a path in the enemies. The king bestowed numerous titles and praise upon the warrior, and the warrior thought that his glorious days will continue until the ends of time.

However the war did not end, and the border country eventually came to destruction. The flames of battle expanded and wrought devastation to nearby areas. Trees and grass withered; the people died out, and eventually, there was no one who knew of the warrior anymore. No matter how much he starved himself, the warrior could not die. He dreamt of the beautiful bird again. He begged to die, but the bird answer that he couldn’t. It told the warrior that he could never die no matter what.

Phoenix Sword

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This is an old story. A beautiful bird with brightly shining feathers lived silently and carefully in the depths of a forest.

One day, a child abandoned as a burden wandered into the depths of the forest. The bird took pity on the starved and sunken child, and pecked off one of its feathers to give to the child. The child brought it back and pleased his relatives, and he was able to live with his family again.

Hearing the story, people barged into the forest one after another, and told the beautiful bird of how poor, how unfortunate and how unrewarded they were. The beautiful bird took pity on them, and gave them one shining feather after another, and when it gave its last feather, the bird’s beautiful body was reduced to a sorry state. However the ugly bird did not have any regrets.

The ugly bird that lost its feathers was freezing in the cold, and the child from before appeared in front of it. He told it that he was searching a brightly shining and beautiful bird to repay his debts. The ugly bird was overjoyed, and told the child of its desire. “That was me. Please, would you not keep me warm in your chest?” But the child merely took one glance at the ugly bird and called it a liar, killing it with a huge sword and eating the burnt bird, afterwards he continued to search for the beautiful bird.

Phoenix Dagger

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A girl was engaged to a man who roamed the battlefields. The girl held her belief, prayed in mornings, at noon, on evenings, and simply hoped that the man would remain safe and sound. Maybe her straightforward prayers did reach – one night, a brightly shining bird appeared in her dreams and left her with these words.

Eventually, the man came back alive, just as the bird predicted. With a plethora of scars across his formidable body. Eventually, the man did come back alive, just as the bird predicted. With a beautiful stranger at his side. Even then, the girl ran towards such a man, her heart filled with her love until this point.

The man was surprised and embraced the girl, however, he eventually fell down. Standing beside the fallen man was the girl, her right hand grasping a blood-stained dagger, her left hand holding what resembled a red-black ripened fruit – the man’s heart. His heart shall never wander again. Standing in the pool of blood, the girl kissed the man’s heart with an expression of utmost fulfillment and intoxicated happiness, and gave a prayer of thanks.

Labyrinth's Whisper

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The girl had two huge horns. They were just a bit above her ears, and they looked like those of a cow. I saw the root of her horn once, and it looked like something that grew out of her skull. Of course, only she was like that. Everyone else was normal. The kid with the horns was small when she was born. Ah, I meant her horns. Well of course. If she had those huge horns, she’s not gonna be able to come out of her mom’s belly.

You thought that she would be bullied, didn’t you? Then you’re completely wrong. That child was stronger than anyone in the village. There were no males that could win against that kid. She did all the work that required brute force, and whenever Shades attack the village, she’s always the first to fight them. More than that, everyone loved her – she was bright and strong.

But this Shade that attacked one day was strong. The village men were tossed around like rags, and half of them were dead. She with the horns fought as hard as she could, but even she exhausted her power. At last the Shade took her body and ripped her horns off. Her scream back then was really something. It was a sound that shook the ground. When everything settled down, I went out of my house and saw that both she and the Shade died. Both were bleeding from countless holes throughout their bodies. They…how should I put it…were

beautiful, like bright red flowers. Even though that’s a pretty insensitive comment.

That’s the answer to your first question. Why nobody in this village can hear anything. But I want you to know – none of us blame her. It’s much better than being dead. We confirmed with each other in the aftermath, but her last shout seemed to be “Goodbye”. I’m proud that the last sounds we ever heard were her words of parting. Really.

Labyrinth's Song

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The beast lived in the depths of the caves. Huge horns. Steel-like body. Heated breath. The peace-loving villagers hated this monster that had a cow’s head and a human’s body. They were afraid. Somewhere down the road, the monster came to be known as “Minotaros of the Labyrinth”.

Belying its scary appearance, the monster was very gentle. It never killed other living beings, and took extra care to not step on flowers with its boneless toes. It lived inside the caves to reassure the villagers’ fear as best as it could.

One day, a girl wandered into the depths of the caves. The girl saw the monster and began screaming and crying, eventually losing consciousness due to fatigue. The monster was troubled. What should I do, what should I do. I have to send this child back to her village. Her father and mother must be worried…I have to send her back.

In the morning, two days after the girl’s disappearance, she was found unconscious in front of her worried family’s house. She suffered no wounds, and was merely sleeping. Her mother ran towards her, but let out a small scream at the sight of something. The monster’s corpse lay a little distance away. Its corpse was impaled by numerous swords, and blood splattered all over the place in a sinister manner. However, there were no signs indicating that it attacked the girl. Not only that, it seemed like it wanted her to be away from it. Almost as if it didn’t want to stain the girl with its blood. The monster curled up on itself and died, almost as if it didn’t want to scare the girl.

Labyrinth's Shout

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That woman was unbelievably dim-witted. She was unskilled, and would take three times as longer than the average person at doing anything. She walks slowly. Talks slowly. Blinks slowly, and can’t even accomplish the simple task of taking water from the well. Even when called “cow” by the children and laughed at, she could only laugh back. “Ehehe…”

That woman was unbelievably dull. Even when she fell and blood was spilled, she acted like nothing has happened. She dropped money all the time, but never tried to take them back. Even when someone badmouthed her right in front of her, it’d take her at least half a day to realize what happened. When the children saw the woman, they happily threw rocks at her.

That woman was unbelievably foolish. During the summer, when the village suffered from the sunlight, she disappeared somewhere by herself. All the children died from starvation. The villagers did not think about the escaping woman. After two days or so, rain fell upon the village and provided salvation, yet the woman did not come back. And 20 days after the woman ceased to return, a priest came to the village.

The priest held in his hand a spear with horns. The spear was sticky to grasp due to the oil. The spear was too heavy to hold and wasn’t practical to use. That spear could not pierce through anything when used. The priest forcibly left the spear to the villagers, but they found it creepy, and none came close to it. The spear was not used by anyone, and slumbers even now in the corner of the village.

Fool's Embrace

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I was saved from that entrapped despair.

I was able to abandon that cursed fate.

I was able to calm those wrath-filled flames.

That day of our meeting changed me.

I shall burn the ground to a crisp with my flames.

I shall sip blood with my fangs.

I shall tear apart thine enemies with my claws.

I shall soar through the sky with my wings.

If light was to be deprived of thine eyes.

If blood was to stain thine skin.

If thine sword is heavy.

If thine mouth can no longer speak.

Even if this body burns up.

Even if these words are taken away.

Until the ends of this contract.

Until I lose this warmth.

Fool's Accord

translated from chinese forums and blogs

Lvl1

This is a story about a sad prince. A story from long time ago set in a kingdom. A dark force attacked the kingdom. In a single night an army of red-eyed monster decimated the kingdom along with enough black dragons to cover up the sky. It’s been said that the King and Queen were disembowels in the royal city under the claws of the black dragon, and the entire place was a sea of blood. The Prince and the sister were able to escape, but the prince vowed to become a demon of vengeance after witnessing the disaster.

Lvl 2

This is the story of a frightening Prince. A history of a war from very long ago. A cruel and murderous prince indulged himself in the violence of vengeance. He killed all fleeing enemy as if it was a matter of course. Some people have even seen the prince slashes the enemies’ bodies’ multiple times. Not even the commander could hold him back, as the prince threw himself into the cruel battlefields.

Lvl 3

This is a story about an unfortunate prince. A story about a rocky and unfortunate path of fate. The next battlefield was where a goddess was to be protected. The prince slashed at the enemy, cut off their limbs, opened up their bowels, cut off their heads, and gouged out their eyes. He couldn’t even tell if the blood on him is his or the enemies’. The heavily wounded prince fell at last. The prince experienced excruciating pain as he lies in a puddle of blood. He looked up with blurry eyes, and saw the shape of a cursed dragon.

Lvl 4

This is a story of a mad prince. A story from long ago about the encounter with a dragon. In fornt of the prince was a heavily injured red dragon. The prince wished to kill it. Even though the dragon wasn’t of the right color, their species was still responsible for his parent’s death. The dragon spoke as the prince raised his word. “I will let you live. We will exchange our soul, and I will give you power.” The Prince thought about it long and hard, and decided to enter into the contract with dragon. It didn’t matter what he’ll lost, it didn’t matter if it is a dragon, noting else mattered as long as he can wield his blade of vengeance. The only thing in the Prince’s heart was a pitch black desire.

Fool's Lament

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Memoir 2003/06/12 at 15:00

A giant white humanoid weapon(referred to as “weapon” in the beginning but “giant” now) falls from the sky in Shinjuku, Tokyo, bringing a huge amount of casualties in the area. Also, at the same time, an organism bearing likeness to that of a red dragon(“dragon” from now on) appears and was seen to engage the “giant” in combat. However, the principles and effects of its attacks remain to be determined. An emergency cabinet is formed while the self-defense squad examined offensive methods against its targets.

Memoir 2003/06/12 at 16:00

The “giant” that battled with the “dragon” suddenly began to crumble. The cause remains unknown. The remaining “dragon” was shot down by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s 6th Air Wing, 303rd squadron. No records were made of who ordered an attack on the “dragon”. Also, the corpses of the “giant” and “dragon” were being collected, but even we could not get an official confirmation from the organization responsible for the collection.

Memoir 2003/12

First case of “White Chlorination Syndrome” confirmed in Tokyo Shinjuku.

Memoir 2004/7

More and more humans become vicious due to the “White Chlorination Syndrome”. The conflict worsens in polluted areas. While the reason still remains unknown, the infected are separated and the rioters neutralized. Main streets are blocked, and railroads are shut down, leading to the later lockdown of Shinjuku. At the same time, America offered military support unofficially, but the Japanese government remained on the fence about this issue. On one hand, research was being done within the government on the demonic element gained from the “giant” and “dragon”, as well as a counter to “White Chlorination Syndrome”, leading to the Gestalt Project 10 years later.

Nirvana Dagger

DOD

NieR

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Ever since her birth, the girl has been told that she had a fiancée. She was brought up being taught how to be a proper wife, and at night, she offered prayers for her fiancée while facing the scenery outside her window. “Lord XX, I eagerly await the day of your arrival.”

Several other girls lived in the house that she lived in. They were all brought up being taught how to be proper wives, and at night, they offered prayers for their fiancées while facing the scenery outside their windows. “Lord XX, I eagerly await the day of your arrival.”

One day, the girls had an argument about whether or not the most brilliant of them will be the only one chosen by their fiancée. The girls stubbornly clung to their claim that they were best suited as a fiancée, and their caretaker spoke to them gently. “Don’t worry, you will all be Lord XX’s wives.” Hearing that, all the girls broke out into smiles.

On the day of the wedding, the girls were brought to a place with stone pavements that could be seen from their windows. One dagger was given to the girls. They were told that to meet their fiancée, they have to kill themselves right here. Hearing that, the girls fought for the dagger and committed suicide. Afterwards, a temple was built on where the girls died. The temple’s name was the name of their fiancée.

Earth Wyrm's Claw

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Deep inside the smelly museum, one old scholar sat in the dim archives. Before him was a box tightly sealed. He was told by the former owner, in no uncertain terms, to “Never open it”.

Apparently a fossil that sucks human blood was inside. How foolish. Who’d believe something like that in this time and age? You only believed in this superstition because you lived your life surrounded by books.

He opened the box. Dust flew wildly. There was one strangely shaped stone inside. Since it had a hilt, it might be an equipment for some kind of ceremony… or a weapon. Such a fascinating shape. I have to do more research on this.

Still, how foolish would you have to be to fear such a thing? Hehehe…the old scholar laughed while gouging out his left eye in front of the fossil.

Axe of Beheading

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There was a ceremony where fairies gather. It took place on the tenth night of full moon of the year. They gathered upon the bank of a lake beautifully lit by moonlight, and bragged to each other their vile acts in the past year.

One fairy bragged about how cruelly she killed a stubborn man. The best soldiers of a certain country had their bodies pulled apart by the fairy disguised as a prostitute. The fairy talked at length about how the men shed tears of regret without being able to put their sword skills to use, and her companions all sang cheerily.

The next fairy boasted of how sly and cunning she was. She first sunk a small boy in a swamp. His sister, who tried to save him, was sunk in the swamp as well. Just like that, his siblings, parents, relations - and even all of the villagers - sank into the swamp. The fairy recalled that scene, and she smiled while drooling.

The smallest fairy spoke up hesitantly. I think I’m the most amazing here. The small fairy was usually made fun of, and it took all of her strength just to talk. I pushed many life forms into the depths of terror! The surrounding fairies clutched their bellies and laughed. They only stopped laughing after ugly monsters came out from the pathway to the demonic realm that the small fairy opened and ate all of them.

Vile Axe

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The girl merely stared at the scene before her. On her side, numerous cuts littered her father’s body, and though dead, her mother was continuously raped by the soldiers. Her young brother who was born not long ago was thrown into the furnace, and his body burnt to a crisp. The soldiers who killed her three family members, merely stared at the girl while she cried.

A few years later, she set out for revenge. The first one was such a fat soldier that his military clothes were bursting at their seams. The girl approached him, and told him of a medicine that could make him lose weight. She told him that she has to give him a physical examination, and made him lie on a bed. Then she cut off his hands and feet with an axe. Without his limbs, the man could not even attempt an escape. You can get even thinner, the girl said and pressed down on him. Now you’ve become very slim, the girl whispered to the now round torso.

The second soldier was matchless in his lust for women. He called numerous women to his mansion every day, and spent the night with them. The girl killed all the women around him. She stood before the man possessed by terror, reduced to mumbled pleas for his life, and chopped off the symbol of his masculinity with her axe.

The third soldier retired from the army, and lived an easygoing life with his family in a village on the borders. While his family was sleeping, the girl put cracks into the house’s pillars with her axe. Losing its support, the house crumbled, and the girl lit a fire upon it. The fire grew into enormous proportions. The son of the soldier, who suffered burns all over his body, escaped from the burning house. The son of the soldier merely stared at the girl who killed his entire family. The girl offered the son of the soldier her axe, and escaped into the darkness.

Dragoon Lance

DOD

NieR

Translated by Defade

The king grew old. His piercing eyes lost their light, and his formidable body has suffered regression. The vanity and fear he gathered upon himself throughout the years devoured his heart in their ugliness. The king was afraid. So to prevent himself from losing the borders under his protection, he repeatedly invaded the surrounding countries. The king was afraid. He could not bring himself to trust in his people’s voices or his advisor’s words. So he tried to take away everything with violence and tyranny.

There was one dragon that was loyal to the king. The wingless dragon followed every word that the king said. It was once saved by the king, and swore to repay his kindness with its soul. Even if they were foolish acts that it can’t stand to overlook, it would follow along if the king ordered it. For the dragon, the king was justice itself.

One day, the dragon appeared before the king, covered in blood - blood spilled from the young prince when he was murdered. The one who gave the order was none other than his own father, the king. The dragon pleaded with the king. I cannot defy your commands. But I cannot follow them anymore. Kill me, the dragon said, and lowered his head tiredly.

That’s an old story. The story of a foolish king, his country that had come to ruin hundreds of years ago and a wingless dragon. Even today, wind rushes through the plains. The same wind that blew on the day the king and the dragon exchanged vows.

Faith (Nobuyoshi)

DOD

In a far-away Eastern land, there was a poet who made a living reciting songs. But he keenly felt the limits of his own skills, and so be made a pact with a ghost.

With the power of the ghost inside him, he began to compose glorious and beautiful songs. His fame spread through the city, and before long, he was named the official Poet to the Imperial Court.

But one day, the ghost returned to him, and she said thus: "Your life as a genius poet is over. You shall henceforth never sing a song again."

It was as the ghost said. The poet fell silent and no more songs came from his lips. His dream gone, he plunged this sword into his breast. It still gleams with the glistering of his blood.

NieR

translated from chinese forums and blogs

Lvl 1

There was a famous singer living in a city in the far east. However, he was no longer able to sing in his later years. A monk appeared by his side out of nowhere and whisper to the singer: “you should pick up this sword.”

Lvl 2

“If you kill a single person you’ll be able to sing one song. I you kill two people you will sing two songs. Go ahead and sing some unparalleled songs!” The singer picked up the song from the monk, hid in the night, and slashed at two bystanders. The next day, the singer can produce beautiful songs, and regained fame and fortune.

Lvl 3

Afterward the singer sang a song for each person he killed, and sang two for every two he killed. He continually attained more fame and fortune. However, his desires could no longer be suppressed. If he killed his most important person, what kind of marvellous song would be produced?

Lvl4

And so the singer killed his wife and sang a song. He killed several of his children and sang multiple songs. He killed everyone in his family and he sang and sang and sang. He killed so many people on the streets that he cannot even sing fast enough. He killed and killed and killed and killed. In the end he didn’t sing anything as he killed himself. All that is left is a blood stained sword.

Spear of the Usurper

DOD

Translated by Defade

In a certain country, there lived a man who acted as a double for the prince. The man took care of official business every day in place of the prince. When he went to the prince after finishing a day’s work, he found a naked woman sleeping in his room. The woman was the prince’s sister. A man with the same face stared at the man’s shocked impression, and invited him to join in while laughing flippantly.

The man loved the prince’s sister. He also felt that she, who adored him like an older brother, loved him back. Even if goes through every day in a façade, she was the only thing he was living for. He, who put his life on the line for the most despicable prince.

The prince took command during the war. He told this to the man who was prepared to risk his life to accomplish his job: If he managed to take the enemy commander’s head, then the prince would let him sleep with his sister once. The man shoved a spear through the prince’s mouth as he laughed flippantly.

After the war, the “prince” made his sister his wife and began to injure his own face and throat. He repeated his actions every time his sister called him “big brother”. Eventually, the “prince” was found with his face burnt and a spear impaling him in the mouth. His burnt face looked very calm.

Rebirth

REBIRTH - 輪廻転生

You see this? This here is for me to cut your life away. There's no need to panic, it won't hurt at the beginning. Later, though, I'll make you feel the worst pain imaginable. And nobody screams at the pain. Just when they see themselves bleed, first.

But I'm not going to let you off so easy. This part of the blade here is very sharp and painful, so it's only for after I've had my fun. And your voice will go hoarse like that, and become loud and unintelligible. How irritating...be quiet, or my hand just might accidentally slip.

Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you. Yet. The fun part is drawing all the pain and suffering out as long as you can. You see, humans are surprisingly hard to kill. And besides, we all have two eyes...two ears...twenty digits...and one hundred and forty-four joints. We can take our time.

You ask me why I'm doing this? Heh...this is all because of you, don't you know?

You're the one framing and torturing your people. You're the one putting their bodies out on display. Oh, you don't remember? Then I'll just make you remember each and every thing you've done to my family, one, by one, by one. Hahahahaha...

Sunrise

SUNRISE - 日出国の魔刃

Long ago, in the Land of the Golden Bird, there was a sword said to be made of every precious metal and inlaid with every kind of gemstone known to man. This sword was said to be so sharp, even a small cut by the edge of the blade would bleed out the entire body, and could never be healed.

Some way or another, this sword fell into the hands of a woman selling her body. She became compelled to hide the blade in her bedding, and upon being taken by a man, she would turn the sword on him. Before even feeling any pain, the men would completely bleed out and die, and from the wounds would flow an endless amount of gold and money.

One day, bursting with wealth and dressed in the finest garments available, the woman sought to liberate the gemstones from the sword. Driven by her greed, the blade's edge turned slick and deadly, as the woman sent for the blacksmith.

On the way there, weighed down and unbalanced by the sword, the woman fell off the side of the bridge into the river. Her greed was such that even as she was swallowed up by the water, she refused to let go of the heavy blade. Her body was found the next day, drained of all its blood.

Moonrise

DOD

NIER

MOONRISE - 月光と闇

There is a legend of a blade that cooled an entire country wrapped in a hellish conflagration. Out of the misery of the endless flames came the people's savior: a sword, surrounded by thousands and thousands of statues made entirely out of ice.

A man searching for the world's legendary weapons came across the sword. He bundled the sword tightly in a long roll of cloth, and took it in hand. But as he placed the sword in his pack and left, unbeknownst to him, the sword began to freeze the cloth, and soon froze him too.

A priestess traveling the world came across the sword. She offered a prayer to the gods, and attempted to draw the sword. But frost quickly spread from her fingertip, to her arm, and all across her body. As she cursed the gods she had invoked, the sword froze her too.

A slave woman, working in a cave, came across the sword. Hoping to escape her painful life forever, she gripped the handle of the sword and drew it out. But, neither did she freeze, nor was she able to thrust it into her breast. The blade's edge gleamed in the moonlight as she was beaten that night by her quickly freezing master.

Lily-Leaf Sword

LILY-LEAF SWORD - ゆりの葉の剣

I love him. From the bottom of my heart. And I know he loves me too. Every time our eyes would meet, I could see the looks he'd give me. And I could hear him telling me to keep this hidden from everyone, and to hide all my feelings and gifts for him. I kept them locked away in my room. He was my one and only.

I don't believe him. The one I thought was my friend seduced and stole him away from me, and he just disappeared and left me all alone. All that's left was me, and all the things I hid away and never gave him. I sold them all off in the market.

I can't forgive him. He was taken away from me against his will by that woman. He still loves me, I know it, and I have to make him realize how much better and prettier and nicer I am than she ever will be! I just have to get rid of her! I have to find her, beat her, maim her, and rip her to pieces!!!

Blinded by rage and jealousy, she took off after the young and naive couple, and stabbed and beat them until her sword was warped and bent from the abuse. The next day, she was nowhere to be found, and sticking out of the pile of meat and flesh that was once a couple of humans, stood the twisted blade. Countless blacksmiths forged and remade the sword, but no matter how hard they tried, it would never regain its former shape.

Captain's Holy Spear

Translated by Defade

Drag-on Dragoon weapon story

The captain confirms his “death”

His touch transforms into tears of the world

His flowing blood from darkness into light

His teachings shall deprive lives, and bestow new ones

Nier weapon story

The captain tramples upon his “life”

The others’ screams turn into songs of joy

Their flowing tears from despair to darkness

Conflict shall call for revenge, and give birth to new loneliness

Iron Will

IRON WILL - 鉄塊

We give the cry of life.

Hot iron forms our body.

Steel hammers temper our shape.

The dim light of the forge and sparks of steel watch over us.

We are the iron will.

Born of the thundering roar.

We give the finality of death.

Iron skin draws out fear and terror, and is bathed in flesh.

We are satisfied by the snatching of life.

We realize our purpose through the crushing of the bodies.

In our delight, we spread death far and wide.

We are the iron will.

We kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.

We smash.

Hate and anger tear our body up in the midst of blood and battle.

Madness-inducing power raises a storm of blood and shrapnel.

We battle the red dragon day, after day, after day.

We are the iron will.

Cursed steel sinks into the darkness of sleep.

We dream.

The dream of a tiny butterfly,

Wildly dancing in the rain.

We are the iron will.

We dream, a deep, unfulfilled dream.

Blade of Treachery

BLADE OF TREACHERY - 背信の刃

The two sisters were a perfect pair of walking mannequins.

In no way could you tell they were mechanical.

State of the art technology gave them the gift of life,

Of laughter, of joy, of satisfaction.

But, they could not cry.

They were never meant to cry.

Being mere dolls, they could not feel.

They could be sad, but not feel sadness.

Sadness was unknowable to them. Even the death of a loved one,

Even as their creator succumbed to disease, they felt nothing.

As if their creator had just disappeared from the face of the earth.

One warm spring day, a stray cat approached and greeted them.

Covered in scars, riddled with disease and thin as a rail,

They took it in, and cared for it.

"Ah, what a fuss."

Their tender care rejuvenated it, and in time regained it health.

From that day on, that cat became a fixture in their daily lives.

Every day, it would beg for food, affection, and praise.

"Ah, what a fuss."

Winter's cold blew into the house as it staggered in from outside.

With a weak meow, the cat's strength slipped, and it fell limply to the floor.

The younger shook it again and again. The elder called for it again and again.

But in the end, not a single cry, not a single response came.

Something in the twins, something deep in their hearts, broke.

And from that day on, they felt nothing at all.

The Devil Queen

THE DEVIL QUEEN - 王妃の玉座 (Actually called "The Queen's Throne")

In a small country at about the same latitude as a province directly north of a city-state that included a town that traded with an island of a republic of a kingdom led by a queen,

"Where do I send the throne decorated with the decorations made of the same materials as the handle of the lid of the pot of the same weight as the tableware of the same color as the weathervane of the house of the one peeping through the door reflected in the mirror of the decorative frame carved with the carving tool made of the splinters of the grindstone that sharpened this kitchen knife?",

Fang of the Twins

A long time ago, there were twin gods that held the power of flames. The gods bestowed fire and reasoning, along with many languages upon mankind and watched over them.

However, mankind fell, and angered the twin gods. The twin gods brought down thunder on many cities, began floods, and tried to burn the earth with their flames.

Mankind finally realized its own mistakes, and offered a huge axe in hopes of stilling the gods’ anger. It was a cursed offering, baptized by the blood of a pair of young twins.

The gods made the twins into stars, and sealed the light of exorcism into the axe, so that mankind may never repeat its mistakes again.

Nier weapon story

we have been together since birth. when we eat, when we sleep and dream.

we get the same things as well. mommy’s breasts, and daddy’s gentle words.

but we died separately. me, at daddy’s hands, my sister at my mother’s hands. they cut off our heads, and we died separately.

but it’s okay. our blood mixed together, and stay in the same axe. we will always be together from now on. two bodies will return to one.

Ancient Overlord

ANCIENT OVERLORD - 古の覇王

A sword that has been passed down for centuries in the royal lineage of a prosperous and long-living kingdom. Legend has it that the gem in its hilt glows bright red when it absorbs the blood of ten thousand men, and bestows immortality upon the bearer. The last king to wield it, however, cared less for the immortality and more for the welfare of his subjects.

One day, his beloved queen passed away during childbirth, as did the child. Upon hearing that his wife and child were dead, he was stricken with grief, and coupled with his old age, the royal lineage was set to die out.

In his mad obsession with extending the life and power of his country, he took up the sword and slaughtered subjects and countrymen alike. "If I am to be the last ruler, than I shall simply never die!!"

Tens, hundreds, thousands of deaths at the hands of the king, and the gem was close to reaching its full brilliance. Finally, his heart unable to take the burden any longer, the king died without reaching his goal. If he had just reached the pregnant woman in front of him...

Emil's Survey Report

translated from chinese forums and blogs

This part is less faithful to the original source, but the whole thing is for the lulz anyway

The Red Book

Right right! This book! The naughty book that flies around in my library. It uses magic to fly all over the place, it’s so dangerous… Good thing my petrifying power could help. Though I still couldn’t find any information to fix my eyes, as the book only contained the location of my sister. Speaking of which, at that time I didn’t know I could go on an adventure with Nier and the others. And why does the book look so much like Weiss? Nah, I’m just overthinking it.

Gretel

A shade that resides in the Lost Shrine. Nier and the others seem to have fought him once. But it’s only my first time seeing it. That head is so big, I wonder where the body is. If the upper body is the face, then it has no belly. Or if the whole thing is the body, then the eyes are its chest… And what about the head? Oh this is so hard to figure out…

Jack, the monster that attacked young Nier’s village

I heard very deep footsteps of the giant Shade all of a sudden that day. Strange, when I asked Nier and Kaine about it afterwards, they both said they couldn’t hear it. This Shade is formed by multiple snake-like Shades combined one by one. It looks so much like spaghetti! Do you guys like spaghetti? I love Fettuccine alla Salmon and spicy spaghetti! My butler Sebastian cooks the best spaghetti, you should all come and try it!

The wolf king Roc

This Shade is very strong, but I put in a lot of effort in defeating it too, because this guy killed the kind Fyra. But the fact that he can gather up so many wolves is amazing. Is this what they called charwolfsma? (there is a bunch of silly puns afterwards that I am not even gonna try and translate).

Hook, the Shade that killed Kaine’s grandma

Even though Sebastian gave me some information on it, I still don’t know much about it because I didn’t fight it myself. Still, it’s really disgusting.

Emil’s sister Halua

It’s thanks to my sister that I am still alive today, so I have got to pick myself up. It would make my sister sad if I were to give up. Please continue to protect me sister, my soul co-existing with sister… forever.

Kaine

Right, that one time Kaine was going berserk as the Shade was taking over. That was really, scary, like three times as scary as usual. What? No no, not saying that you are scary all the time, that is more like a nice version of “scary”! No no no don’t draw your swords come on Kaine don’t joke you are so awesome NO NO NO STOP IT THAT’S REALLY DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!

P-33

Mr Robot soldier from the Junk heap. It was so dangerous when all those bullets were flying everywhere. Plus it can collect parts from everywhere, that’s so cool. Still, that’s like a kid’s toy. No wait, what me? How rude! I’m not a kid! I just used the same face to live through over a thousand years! I’m much more of an adult than you guys! I can even use the washroom at night all by myself!

Immortal Goose

This is the Shade we fought in the Shadow Lord’s castle. It really scared me when the dancing spirits fused together! Kaine said it before too, the more Shades that combines into one, the stronger it gets. It really is strong. Would I be stronger if I COMBINE as well? For example, (bleep) with Nier? Wait, why did that get censored. I just (bleep) with all my heart, with my body (bleep) what I said was (bleep) wait (bleep) hey! (etc)

Wendy from the Aries

This is the Shade that was formed from everybody in the Aries. Looking at its picture right now makes my heart hurt. The whole village was destroyed because I got out of control. ….sorry. I’m not going to talk about this Shade anymore. …sorry.

Devola and Popola

Who would’ve known. Their singing is so beautiful, and they took care of me when I was hurt…… Who knew they would be the ones who was behind everything. But Nier must be the one who is hurt the most. He was with them since he was young. I shouldn’t say anymore about this. In the end, I flew veeeeeeeeery far when I fought with Popola’s magical power. I hope I can find Nier again soon. When would I be able to restore my body…

Nier

Oh Nier? He is so cool! That sparkly silver hair, his strong and cool appearance along with his gentle side……. But if I have to say what I like the most about Nier, it would be the sweet smell that comes from his body when he hugs me tightly! AHHH!!! I accidentally said it out loud! Don’t tell this to anyone!

Letters

Translated by Defade

-Lost in feelings, memories written down.

Tracing the silhouette of lost days through words.

01 From Nier to Yonah

Dear Yonah,

Have you been eating properly?

Have you been doing what Popola tells you to?

I can see the big ocean in the city I've just arrived in.

There was an ocean in Yonah's favorite picture book, wasn't there?

The real thing's just as described.

Can you read all of today's letter?

Thank you for the letters you keep sending me.

Nier

Dear Yonah,

Have you been drinking your medicine as prescribed?

I'll be back soon. I'll make something nutritious for you to eat!

And if you couldn't read some of the words in my letter,

I'll read it with you when I get back.

Just wait a bit.

I'm always reading your letters, Yonah.

Thank you.

Nier

02 From Nier to Kaine

To Kaine,

Sorry, Yonah wouldn't stop coughing.

So I'll stay with her for a bit more.

And...you're always sleeping outside the village, Kaine.

I'd like you to stay at my house, but...

I can't leave Yonah right now,

so I'll give this letter to Devola.

Come by anytime!

Nier

To Kaine,

Some Shades have been sighted in my village, so I don't think I can leave.

Sorry, but wait a bit.

I'll head over immediately after things calm down.

Tell this to Emil.

I'll make sure that you two can come into the village someday.

Nier

03 Love letters to Popola

Dear Popola, my love,

Maybe you forgot, but I didn't.

You smiled gently at me once.

A beautiful smile - all the other smiles I've seen pale in comparison,

And the prettiest out of all of them.

I've found the place to be - right next to you, my beauty, my love.

My beloved.

Please accept my feelings.

Dear Popola,

Sorry for giving this to you out of the blue!

I have a small-build, and I don't earn much.

But I've loved you ever since I first laid my eyes on you.

I thought you were such a pretty person at first.

Now I love that beautiful heart of yours as well - you, who always watched over the villagers gently.

My feelings won't be triumphed by anyone else's.

Please go out with me if you'd like.

You'll always be on my heart.

Popola,

I love you-!

I love you, love you, loooooooooove you-----!

Let's get married!

Thank you for your letters.

Your feelings have made me very happy,

But my head is full with thoughts of this important village.

Please understand.

I'm sorry.

04 A trashed letter

Dear brother,

I can't stop coughing.

Brother....what will happen to me?

I'm scared.

I don't need my medicine anymore,

I just need you by my side.

Yonah

05 Letters from the old lady in the lighthouse to her husband

My dear,

I thought my heart would break when I heard of your injury.

How bad was it?

How long does it take to heal?

Are you eating properly?

I want to go and be with you right now.

But I was stopped by the people in the city.

My days without you have been both lonely and painful.

Please get well soon.

I've been praying every day for your swift return.

P.S. The people and I have been well, as usual.

My dear,

Right, how long are you going to make me wait?

Well, I'm still waiting, so I guess I can't really say.

Every morning when I wake up, I hope for a letter that tells of your return.

Every night before I sleep, I dream of seeing your boat returning the next day.

Time passes just like that.

I've already become a wrinkled old hag.

My desire to see you has not changed.

But I'm a bit wary of showing you my aged appearance.

Still, despite that, I want to see you.

You must've become a wrinkled old geezer as well.

Even so, I would still love you - that fact won't change.

I'm always dreaming of the day of your return.

P.S. The city has changed a bit, but everyone is healthy.

06 A report from Devola to Popola

To Popola,

The Gestalt synchronization towards villagers is increasing.

The process was smooth, and everything is according to plan.

It's easy to stir up a village engulfed in fear.

However, even within this terror, they manage to create new songs and sing them.

Why can they make songs?

What's the difference between us - who can only sing the same song over and over while adding new twists to it - and them - who can create songs in any situation?

Devola

Commentary: We're introducing the contents of letters that never appeared in the game.

[1] A letter sent while traveling. You can see the image of a brother who's always worried about Yonah.

[2] The first letter was written soon after their first meeting, so Nier ended up rubbing salt on her wounds with good intentions. In the second letter, Nier knew the circumstances surrounding Kaine, so his words became more strengthened, and conveyed a strong will.

[3] These are merely a fraction of the love letters given by a multitude of males. Popola's reply is always the same.

[4] It was never posted, and merely thrown away in a trash can.

[5] One letter written right after the delivery of unfortunate news, one written years later.

[6] They both possess communication methods from the old ages, and this letter was a result of them mimicking the actions of Replicants.

Creator's Interview

Translated by Defade

Creator’s Interview

*Before you read*

1. You saw ending D or confirmed its contents through this book

2. You read all the short stories in this book (191-224)

3. You can keep a straight face no matter what you know

Only read if you fulfill these requirements.

Director – Yoko Taro

The director of this game, the one responsible for creating Nier’s unique worldview. He’s not too good with interviews, photo shoots, praise or great expectations.

Scenario Writer – Sawako Natori

Famous for her work in “DOD” and “99’s Tear” etc. Did some novelization work as well. Wrote Popola’s madness scene while role-playing PreCure with her daughter.

Novelist – Jun Eishima

Novelized the “DOD” series. Also wrote “W – the two summers” under the penname Nagashima Emi. “Completely obsessed with shounen stuff” according to Yokoo.

It’s been one week since NieR’s release…Replicant was sold out in many shops, and “NieR Rhapsody”-esque movements have sprung all over the streets and alleyways. A small banquet was set in a corner of Shinjuku. How did the world full of mysteries; the sad, painful yet beautiful story which grabbed our hearts come to be? The three most important people will meet for the first time this night, and reveal to us all there is-

Both the software and the soundtrack were immensely popular

The director’s butt feels itchy

-Nier was released without a hitch, and it seemed to have garnered quite the popularity.

Yokoo Tarou(Yokoo from now on): To tell you the truth, as someone involved in the development, I never expected such positive response, and I was caught off guard.

-The software and soundtrack were received with such praise that it’s hard to find them anywhere.

Yokoo: Well- I never thought that they’d garner such praise. I’m pretty uncomfortable with praise, so my butt is itching quite badly as a result.

Eishima Jun(Eishima from now on): I thought that Yokoo would definitely lock himself in his locker from the backlash of Ending D…(laughs)*

*The Locker Incident = Happened after the release of “Drag-on Dragoon” on anonymous chat boards on the net. A huge amount of internet backlash arose from the strangeness of the last battle in ending E and depression-inducing contents of the multi bad ends. In response to that Yokoo hid in a locker to ride out the storm of ASCII art flames directed his way. “Maybe Yokoo will drag himself to the locker again” became an expression that captures the conflicting feelings of hate and love from the fans.

Yokoo: I was completely prepared to go into the locker myself.(laughs) We put quite a lot of things in Nier, and as a result it had its fair share of rough edges. As developers, we caught many of those rough edges ourselves, but if we wanted to fix all of them, the game will never get released. That’s why we just took a “Whatever!” attitude regarding some issues. We did feel really bad for the players though.

-Despite all that, the general response is very positive. It seems like the satisfied players outnumber the ones who aren’t.

Yokoo: I wonder…actually, I’m not really confident, and I always look at reviews with a “This is so suspicious….!” attitude.

Eishima: Why are you always preparing yourself for the worst like that. (laughs)

Natori Sawako(Natari from now on): It’s like “If only 1 out of 10 people was satisfied…” except the ratio ended up being a bit more than 1:10. (laughs) Some good probably came out of reading tons of shounen manga and looking into their formula stories.

-How is it like for the publisher?

Square Enix Promotion Staff(Mr. T from now on): Even we didn’t expect such popularity. Yokoo’s works are often quite enigmatic, and their target audience is mature. However, Nier’s official site suddenly experienced an accessing boom before the official release date, and more and more inquiries were made as the release date closed in. We tried to satisfy the market as best as we could with a happy scream, but we couldn’t quite keep up with the sales. It was pretty painful for us.

Yokoo: It’s a new game, so nobody is looking forward to it – maybe that’s the secret behind Nier’s success!

Eishima: Ah- That might actually(laughs)

Natori: Be right.(laughs)

-Of course there were the introductions in Dengeki PlayStation and Dengeki Games, but the weapon stories and short stories(SS from now on) garnered the highest amount of feedback.

Yokoo: That…is Eishima working too hard.

Eishima: What are you saying! It was your idea to have young Nier prostitute himself in the first place! I tried making it as tame as I could.

-…it was supposed to be more shocking…?

Nier’s secret past

It was actually more…!!

Eishima: Ever since I took the SS job, I learnt a lot about the settings and worldview of the game from Yokoo aside from doing test plays of the game. Every time I saw the contents of my mail, I froze before my computer and shouted “Ehhh-!?”

Eishima: T-true….it…might be common? However, that’s still too much for a game setting to be published officially in a normal game magazine. The first setting I got from Yokoo said “He earned money by being their partner for the night, no matter the gender”.

-…how pitiful.

Eishima: And Yokoo’s description of it was horrible.

Yokoo: Eh, no it wasn’t!? It was just him looking at the ceiling and waiting for unpleasant times to end, and finding it a bit hard to sit down the next day…

Eishima: That’s exactly it! It was indirect, but still too direct!(laughs) In the end, we managed to tone it down considerably by agreeing on Nier tying up his hair after that night.

-You could’ve included those “direct” parts in this book.

Eishima: I probably wouldn’t be able to hold myself back…in different manners of speaking, so I refrained from doing that.(laughs)

Kaine’s “Gender”

Depicting the normal workings of humanity

-Since we’re talking about the SS, Natori’s story about Kaine packed quite the punch as well.

Natori: That was partially inspired by Eishima’s SS. Since Nier was like that(laughs), maybe Kaine had that side to her as well. It was normal to her. However, there are people who couldn’t accept that as normal. I wrote it in hopes of depicting those differences.

-Her female side was emphasized in the game, so there might be many users who are surprised at her male side in this SS.

Natori: We didn’t really put much emphasis on her being a hermaphrodite in the game, so I wanted to write about that somewhere. In the game, we only touched on her being bullied as a child.

-Did you intentionally not emphasize the hermaphrodite issue in the game? What were the reasons behind that?

Yokoo: To me, Kaine being a hermaphrodite wasn’t really a point of importance. Since people like that do exist in reality, we just don’t know about them. I was actually surprised that it garnered so much attention after the game was released.

Yokoo: Gestalts don’t possess a physical body or cells, but the instant they get hurt, their wounds temporarily try to return to their human state. That’s why they bleed, and can die like normal humans.

Emil’s “sexuality”

“Normality” in Yokoo’s works?

-Kaine became a huge topic of discussion even before the release, but Emil’s feelings towards Nier got its own share of attention after the release.

Yokoo: I thought I made it quite clear with that bride statement, but it didn’t seem to have gotten the message across.

-One theory was that Emil developed feminine feelings and liked Nier as a result of fusing with his sister Halua

Yokoo: No, Emil is gay!

Eishima: Oh, confirmation is good. I thought that I saw nonexistent undertones because of my dirty mind. (laughs)

Yokoo: Emil saw Halua in Kaine. To Emil, she was a reliable sister figure.

-There always seem to be some characters with unusual sexual preferences in Yokoo’s works.

Natori: We just feel like that we’re reflecting the real world while creating the worldview and settings.

Yokoo: How would you define “unusual”, is the question. If we look around, we can definitely see homosexuals, few in number they may be. I’m not trying to say “Don’t discriminate” or anything like that, just “People like that exist. It’s simply the way the world works.” They’re labeled with “normal”, “unusual” and compared quite often, but the difference between people with certain sexual preferences lies purely in number. Some are quite abundant, some are not, but we’re all in the same world. I never intended for them to appear as special.

Kaine’s love scene

And why ending C and D feel strange

-As I was playing, I understood that both Emil and Kaine liked Nier. However, very little emphasis was put on who Nier likes.

Yokoo: I don’t want to complicate the main point of the story. “An older brother saving his sister” was the main theme we wanted to portray, and I wanted to deliver all the drama involved as a first impression. Details of the worldview or personality quirks of other characters can be left later for people who really want to know. If I put in more about Nier and Kaine, the main theme would get muddled, so I refrained.

-Kaine loves Nier, doesn’t she?

Natori: That’s right. When he was young, she just felt friendship towards a fellow comrade and a person she could trust, but she realized the changes in her feelings when she woke up in the library. We made to emphasize that during the scene.

-Did Kaine ever reveal her feelings towards Nier during the journey?

Natori: Nier’s heart was filled with thoughts of Yonah and revenge against the Shades. He really wasn’t fit to deal with Kaine and Emil’s faint feelings for him.(laughs) And Kaine wasn’t good at confessing, so she resolved to be useful to him in his revenge at least. That’s why she said “I’ll become his blade and die!”

Yokoo: By the way, Kaine first realized that she loved Nier during the love scene in shadowlord’s castle.

-???

Yokoo: When she kicked Nier in his stomach.

Eishima: That…could it even be called a love scene? (laughs)

Yokoo: It is a love scene! She realized that “Ah, I actually love this person!” when she was kicking him and beating him up! Her backing off was the girl side in her coming out.

-It was a good scene. I could clearly see how Kaine’s brain works. (laughs)

Yokoo: It was the most romantic scene in the game.

Natori: When I was writing the scenario, I almost dipped into Kaine and Nier’s romance territory a few times, but I remember Yokoo telling me that “This isn’t what I wanted to show” and asking me to change it. I have to focus on writing them as “comrades”. So it ended up as a rather simple love scene.

-However, as a result of that, the development in ending C and D may come off as rather strange to players.

Yokoo: Instead of being a decision for “Nier and Kaine”, it was more like a choice for “the player and Kaine”. If you like Kaine after playing through the game twice, then sacrifice yourself and save her, if you don’t then you don’t have to save her. I wasn’t trying to force your hand into saving her by shoving romance down your throat.

-I see. However, Nier’s “My beloved~” line comes off as even more abrupt now.

Yokoo: That was more like a spur of the moment thing rather than intended direction.(laughs) “Whether the player loves Kaine or not” – base your decision on that.

-Ending D isn’t the true end just because it comes last, but the player could freely choose “their own true end” .

Yokoo: That’s pretty much it.

Eishima: However, as a gamer, you simply have to proceed to ending D since it was present in the system. After all, you do want to see it.(laughs)

-Hearing you say that, I feel pain at having made my choice on the basis of Nier being a game. Now I’m told to make that choice based on what I really feel for Kaine…in a certain manner of speaking, the hurdle the player had to cross was quite high.

A study on ending D

Eishima and Natori’s interpretations

Natori: Ending D felt very natural to me. Nier’s love for his comrades was really strong, and even if that were Emil, he’d still save him. To him, only Yonah is special, and everyone else sort of shares the 1st place in his heart.

-He probably thought that he’d be happy simply with people important to him, including Yonah, living on.

Eishima: To me, ending C was father Nier’s choice, and ending D was brother Nier’s choice.

-What is the reasoning behind that?

Eishima: A father is responsible to his own daughter, so he couldn’t just give up his existence. He feels that it’s his duty to protect Yonah and raise her, so he’d kill Kaine and live on. On the other hand, a brother and sister both coexist with and depend on each other, so maybe he’d choose to disappear and be relieved from his burden.

Natori: I see…

Eishima: Interpretations of ending C and D could really vary from person to person. That’s why I think Nier is a game made for a wide audience. You do have a choice to make, but we don’t try to force you into one by shouting “This is it, right!”

Yokoo: However, it is a strange game.

It’s strange, but it still garnered the acceptance of many

The reason lies in the focus on “impacting people on an emotional level”

-When I read the settings in this book, I realize that many of them were not revealed in the actual game.

Yokoo: That’s true. We barely explained “Project Gestalt”.

-Was that intentionally done?

Yokoo: We didn’t explain everything because that’s just how reality is. I wanted to reflect certain elements of reality in this game, so I didn’t put too much focus on explaining everything. I also wanted to make the basic story simple and easy to understand, so I deleted most information that weren’t vital to emotional impact.

-That’s why it makes you feel “refreshed, but leaves a weird taste in your mouth”. It’s very dramatic, but you feel indigestion.

Yokoo: At the end of the day, I wanted to make a weird and strange game. More like, I can’t make anything but strange games.

The day it rained salt in Shinjuku-

What is “Project Gestalt?”

-So, can I direct detailed questions on the worldview to Yokoo specifically?

Yokoo: Shoot. I’ll answer to the best of my ability.

-Yokoo, were you the only brains behind “Project Gestalt” and “Replicant System”?

Yokoo: The general idea came from me, but it was later refined by Cavia’s planners, programmers, Kikuchi and Natori. They all contributed to different parts of the concept.

-The game began halfway through the 21st century in Shinjuku, I was quite surprised that it was snowing in summer?

Yokoo: That isn’t snow but salt. The corpses of victims suffering from chlorination decomposed and fell from the sky.

-Because of the white chlorination syndrome.

Yokoo: In 2003, Caim and Angel came to this world from a multi-dimensional world. After they fought with the giant, they were shot down by fighter planes. What came out of their bodies was the “demonic element”. When humans come in contact with the demonic element, they’re pulled into contract ala DOD styled. Except instead of a contract, it’s more like a forced curse. “Become a servant to god and destroy the world according to its will, if you reject then you shall die” is the content of the contract. If they reject the contract, they’ll suffer chlorination and die, if they accept it, they’ll turn into servants of god(legions).

-No matter the outcome, they won’t be able to live as humans. “Project Gestalt” was devised as a counter for that, right?

Yokoo: The Gestalt process was a system where a person’s mentality dwells in a yorishiro refined through the dragon’s corpse. DOD’s contract involves an exchange of souls, but in this case the contractor – the “dragon”, is already soulless and an empty yorishiro, so there is no soul to exchange with. That’s why the person’s soul will simply be transferred into the yorishiro and take over that.

-If people go through the Gestalt process, they can avoid the WCS?

Yokoo: Because their body is separated from their soul, they have no fear of entering a contract when they touch the demonic element.

-And the soul can be reunited with the body.

Yokoo: It’s possible. However, though the soul shall remain ageless and live on indefinitely, the body isn’t made of the same stuff. That’s how the “Replicant System” came to be – having androids manage fake bodies without a consciousness within a regulated area. If they die, then the androids make more, rinse and repeat. They make the Replicants who are immune to WCS exterminate the legions and uncover the truth behind the WCS. During that time, the Gestalts sleep and eventually regain their human form and everyday life after everything’s been said and done. That’s how “Project Gestalt” and “Replicant System” should’ve ideally functioned.

Eishima: These kind of settings are so complicated – you won’t even know unless you ask Yokoo. I had to ask him a lot of questions while writing the SS, and I learned quite a bit.

Yokoo: The axis of the earth has changed in that time period, the sun won't sink below the horizon even at night – it’ll be like a midnight sun.

A product of coincidence from experiments

"Gestalt Nier"

Yokoo: The humans have managed to combine science and magic through the dragon’s corpse, leading to the successful Gestalt process. However, there were fatal “inconveniences”. One of them was that Gestalts were weak to sunlight. The other one is that a soul that went through the Gestalt process will eventually lose its sense of self and start attacking humans, eventually dying.

-Those are the “relapsed Gestalts”, the Shades that attack the replicants.

Yokoo: The siblings Nier and Yonah took part in the Gestalt experiment, but Nier became suspicious of the project and escaped the facility with Yonah. Nier probably realized the dangers of the Gestalt process.

-After that, they were attacked by Shades, and Nier had no choice but to make a contract with Grimoire Noir, thereby becoming a Gestalt and gaining the powers of magic – to protect Yonah.

Yokoo: That is the beginning of the game. Yonah also touched Grimoire Noir and became a Gestalt like Nier, but since she was unhealthy to begin with, she immediately began to relapse.

-And Nier didn’t relapse at all?

Yokoo: He just “happened to have the stabilizing factor that allows him to keep his sense of self”, regardless of his readiness to become a relapsed Gestalt. The actual reason was unknown, and even in later experiments, he was the only one that remained stable. The World Purification Organization used Nier for that. His sister, who became a relapsed Gestalt will die somewhere down the road, so they convinced him that they’d find a solution to that in exchange for him providing his demonic element as a stabilizing agent until then.

-And as a result, he did that for over 1000 years?

Yokoo: That’s how it ends up as. The Gestalts = Shade treat him like their “king”. Because if Gestalt Nier didn’t exist, they would all relapse. However, a way to save Yonah wasn’t found, and he realized that nothing’s going to happen if he just waits, so he put Gestalt Yonah(soul) into Replicant Yonah(body) and tried to get back his own body, so that they could live together again.

Yokoo: Devola and Popola interceded as beings programmed to complete “Project Gestalt” – the general will of humanity. Their objective is the completion of “Project Gestalt”, not the “Happiness of the Shadowlord”. The Shadowlord’s rampage puts flaws into “Project Gestalt”. In order to stop that, they tried to fuse “Grimoire Weiss” and “Grimoire Noir” to return all Gestalts(souls) to their respective Replicants(bodies).

“Grimoire Weiss” and “Grimoire Noir”

Are a set of programs meant to finish the project

-They appeared in the SS “And then there were none”, but what exactly were “Grimoire Weiss” and “Grimoire Noir”, which gained immense magic through Gestalts being sealed in them?

Yokoo: If Grimoire Noir is activated, all Gestalts can be returned to their Replicants(changing from a world of Replicants to a world of humans). It’s a program that utilizes magic. The keys that are vital to its activation is Girmoire Weiss and “the sealed verses”. The sealed verses are offensive magic in expectation of legion battles. Grimoire Weiss is necessary for Grimoire Noir’s activation, and the sealed verses in turn are vital for Grimoire Weiss’s. In other words, it’s a double lock intended to prevent any accidental activation of the system, so that they’ll only be activated by the manager when the time has truly come.

-When the time has come?

Yokoo: When the legions have been exterminated, and when the WCS has ceased. However, the Shadowlord Gestalt Nier realized that he was being lied to.

Yokoo: He’s irritated at the lack of change, and tried to use force to gain Yonah and Nier’s replicants, as well as Grimoire Weiss. The very roots of the system are impacted, and though the time hasn’t come yet, Devola and Popola tried to return the Replicant’s bodies to their original owners before everything is too late…however, Grimoire Weiss lost his memories, and took Replicant Nier’s side. Moreover, the replicants gained sentience. The twins tried to make amends to the plans and control the Shadowlord as best as they could, but since Replicant Nier’s own will was involved as well, nothing really went according to plan. That is the basic plot of “NieR”.

-I became really confused as I was listening to all that.

Yokoo: That’s right. We became confused when we were thinking of all that.(laughs) But I didn’t think these information necessary to the enjoyment of the game. These settings don’t really matter.

-They’re unrelated to the player=Nier. That’s true.

Yokoo: Many things are going on in the world, but Nier simply fought against Shades to protect Yonah – that’s what I wanted to portray, and it’s pretty similar to our world. You don’t know why exactly everything boiled down to this in history’s long span, but somehow people were at war for all sorts of reasons since you were born – something like that.

-So, let’s say Replicant Nier didn’t defeat the Shadowlord but gave up his body instead, and Grimoire Weiss fused with Grimoire Noir, will the world become peaceful with humans again?

Yokoo: If the legions are exterminated and the WCS eradicated. However, Yonah’s black scrawl cannot be cured either way, so she won’t be saved.

-Eh.

Yokoo: Yes. No matter what, the path towards Nier and Yonah surviving has long been closed.

Yokoo: Replicant Yonah and Nier remained, but since Gestalt Nier was killed by Replicant Nier, he couldn’t provide the stabilizing demonic element anymore, and all Gestalts will relapse eventually. If that happens, their respective Replicants cannot regenerate their bodies anymore. Also, the managers of the Replicant’s death and rebirth system, Devola and Popola were killed by Replicant Nier, so the replicants in that area will come to an end in this generation.

-In the end, Yonah won’t be saved?

Yokoo: Replicant Yonah’s Black Scrawl remained uncured, so the disease will proceed and kill her.

-What happens after Replicant Nier loses his existence in ending D?

Yokoo: Firstly, since the Black Scrawl isn’t cured, Yonah will still die.

-W-what about Kaine who survived?

Yokoo: She won’t die immediately, but since the Replicant System itself has become dysfunctional, she’ll eventually die.

-Hearing all that, I can’t help but think that everything Replicant Nier’s done has been in vain…

Eishima: Whatever Yokoo and his team come up will never conclude nicely. Actually, when I heard of these endings, I thought that he finally managed to conclude something in a relatively nice manner.

Natori: No matter how much of a happy end it is, or how much of a brilliant hero the main character is, it’s just a part of the bigger picture, and even us who are talking here today will eventually die. It’s all very normal.

-The word normal is pretty heavy.

Exclusive to this book, ending E?

Know its mystery, hope and despair

-Even amongst the various SS in this book, “The Lost World” that depicted “what happened after ending D” has to be the most surprising. I’ll simply call it “ending E”.

Eishima: To those who left ending D with a hole in their heart, the contents should be quite pleasing.

-What kind of situation does this ending E take place in?

Yokoo: After the Shadowlord disappeared, a program to reset the entire replicant system begins its execution in the Forest of Myth, and Kaine goes to destroy it.

-Why did he return as a young boy?

Yokoo: He was reconstructed with the “memories” that the tree had of his first visit to the Forest of Myth. Also, as the writer, I simply wanted them to “repeat the fun times they had, traveling together”.

-Personally, I thought that if he returned in his older form, he’d have a chance with Kaine.

Yokoo: In “Gestalt”, he returns in the state before he got his eye patch! So he might have a chance?!

Eishima: Well, there’s nothing really bad about a couple with such a huge age difference, but still.

-If Emil could petrify Kaine for another 5 years…

Natori: He’s got four arms now, so that must be as easy as breathing for him.(laughs)

Eishima: But…you see, if 5 years pass, then the Replicants with Gestalts will start dying one after another due to the black scrawl~(looks faraway)

Yokoo: Even if the destruction system is gone, everyone is going to die, be it late or soon~(looks faraway)

Natori: Right~(smiles)

-How cruel.

Let’s ask director Yokoo a simple question 3: The lockdown of the Aerie is unusual. What exactly are those people?

Yokoo: There are quite a few Gestalts in that village that didn’t wait for the fusion of Grimoire Weiss and Grimoire Noir, but went into their Replicants out of their own will. The relapsed ones were absorbed by Hook, and together they fused to become Wendy.

Natori’s scenario

Is so realistic that it’s scary?!

Yokoo: You said that it’s cruel, but I really cut down on the kind of cruelty that’s really harsh mentally. I turned down quite a few scenes in Natori’s scenario.

-For example?

Yokoo: Personally, I can’t stand the depiction of Emil and Kaine outside the village, like the SS “The Narrow Gate”. I just feel really bad when I read about it.

-Emil simply laughing along just adds to it.

Yokoo: Yeah. But that’s what Natori is best at. She also wrote some realistic scenarios involving Nier and Yonah as siblings, but that was simply too real, and I couldn’t bear it. My heart just hurt too much.

-What kind of scenario was that?

Natori: In the beginning of the game, I remember writing about Nier thinking that Yonah was a heavy burden, and couldn’t stop himself from exclaiming “If only you weren’t here!” and hurting Yonah with his feelings. After all, he is a young boy, so it’s natural that he couldn’t control his emotions and end up hurting his family.

Yokoo: To me, that was too realistic and hard to bear, so I gave her the NG.

Eishima: If that scene made its way to the completed product, maybe Nier wouldn’t have come off as such a pitiful child? Nobody is going to scold Yonah, who gets all the love, so the players might get irritated at his actions. (laughs)

Difference between Nier and mainstream shounen manga

The lack of reality

-Eishima, what did you think of Nier’s scenario when you read it?

Eishima: To be honest, I thought it was pretty normal for something coming from Yokoo. I heard he was aiming for something like mainstream shounen manga, so felt that this was pretty much it. However, as I read along, I just felt really weird, and somewhat disgusted. I understand it better now that I heard Natori’s “no approval for real scenarios” incident. The thing is, every character reacts differently from what you’d usually expect. Everyone just sort of accepts it and goes along with it. That’s why when I look at the story from a whole, I just get this weird sense of wrongness.

Yokoo: Aren’t shounen manga like that as well? The cream of the crop all feel really wrong.

Eishima: Not really, shounen manga still fall into some sort of harmony. In a certain sense of speaking, “NieR” completely neglected all that, and feels rather odd.

Natori: In that case, the NGs Yokoo gave were spot on. If you were trying to make it into an odd game, you’d have to delete things that are too real. I can think of it that way now.

Yokoo: Nah, I’m pretty weak against those scenarios, so I just couldn’t bear looking at them. I never thought it end up like this.(laughs)

-Since replicants had artificial personalities, I instinctually thought that their expressions might not be quite human-like.

Eishima: That’s one way of looking at it. You could also say that the most human-like being was Popola, who was actually an android.

-In summary of what you all just said, ultimately, the world of “NieR” did not have “the reality of the human world”. What remains is only a dreamlike and surreal sense of reality. In that manner of speaking, it might’ve become the kind of story that people who seek for RPGs have been looking for.

What saved Kaine in ending D

Was the player’s….love!?

-If we’re talking about the lack of realism, then the hermaphrodite heroine has to be the epitome of that. Was Kaine a hermaphrodite as a human?

Yokoo: No, in our setting, she was born as a hermaphrodite due to an error in the long-running replicant system. Originally, she was a female with a fiancée, and was supposed to get married.

-Wasn’t the Shade Tyran her original gestalt?

Yokoo: Kaine has her own, separate gestalt. Tyran was still a normal Shade who hasn’t begun to relapse yet, but he just happens to like slaughter in the first place, and attempted to take over replicant Kaine’s body. He gets enjoyment out of Kaine’s anguish and worry.

-Nier and Tyran combined their efforts to save Kaine, who went berserk in ending C and D, but how exactly is Kaine saved in ending D?

Yokoo: …by everyone’s love and spirit!

From non-humans to hermaphrodites

“NieR” is a harem game!?

-Well then, let’s hear everyone’s favorite character.

Yokoo: No.7 for me. I really liked him ever since D.K. proposed his design, and as a result he didn’t go through many retakes.

Natori: My favorite’s Kaine. If the characters in “NieR” were in my class at school, I want to call out to Kaine, who’d probably be sitting all by herself.

Eishima: I want to play as young Nier forever…but actually, I think that in “NieR”, everyone but Nier himself is the heroine. Weiss even confessed to him at the end.

Yokoo: Huh!? Where?

Eishima: That parting scene where he was like “I rather like the name Weiss”.

Yokoo: If you say that was a confession, then Eishima, I applaud your brain. (laughs)

Eishima: What!

-Both Weiss and No.7 are rather popular amongst the females as mascots.

Yokoo: Emil was always shut inside the mansion, so he’s pretty naïve. He stopped growing and remained young ever since becoming a weapon, but his stupidity is rather endearing.

Eishima: I really laughed at the post-credit sequence in ending B. I really had fun writing about No.7’s solitary travels in the SS.(laughs) That’s why I thought that I couldn’t finish the DLC…the not-quite-magic-bullets-but-Emil-bullets…I can’t cut them!

Yokoo: That was pretty easy to make, and when it was actually implemented, it made a rather funny picture, so I liked it. It’s rather creepy, but all the female staff just went “So cute, so cute”. He’s quite the character.

-Now that you think about it, Nier is quite popular, being surrounded by all these fascinating characters.

Yokoo: It’s a harem.

Eishima: Nobody is fully female though.

Yokoo: He’s rather popular amongst non-humans. Still, he remains oblivious, and all he thinks about is Yonah. Such a horrible man. (laughs)

Borne from Natori’s scenario

A Yonah who “hurts others mercilessly”

Yokoo: I actually really like the scenes with Yonah, and the one that really caught my favor was when Kaine left in ending A. In my request to Natori, I only wrote “please make it a beautiful ending where they look upon the sky”. And then she gave me that scene where Yonah says “Brother, look!” at the worst possible moment. I was like “What’s up with this amazingly twisted scene, wow!!” (laughs)

Natori: That was a calculated crime. Although they’re siblings, their positions are also similar to that of a protector and his daughter, so I thought that Yonah would do something like that.

Eishima: That really caught me off guard. Saying something like that at that moment seems probable for a father and daughter, since the daughter has the right to have her father all by herself. But it’s just too dark for siblings…!

Yokoo: She’s still mentally five. But that’s still not something to be excused. (laughs) Someone needs to scold her.

Love towards Kaine and Emil

“I’m glad that I had companions”

-Natori, please tell me your favorite scenes or lines if you have any.

Natori: I loved that scene where Kaine fell asleep in Emil’s mansion, and the exchange with Weiss following that. When I write those scenes where they seem like a family, I feel happy for Kaine. Also, I’m a bit wary of blowing my own trumpet, but I liked Kaine saying “This isn’t a sin” to Emil. When I thought of how much Emil needed someone who thinks like that and poured in all my love, that line just came out naturally.

-It really makes her seem like a big sister.

Natori: I feel like I put more thought into Kaine and Emil. They possess more of a burden than Nier and Weiss, physical-wise, which led to their isolation, so I put a lot of conversations that emphasizes how great it is to have companions.

-Which scene does Eishima like?

Yokoo: Eishima is definitely satisfied with just watching young Nier’s back while he roams the fields, since it’s zettai ryouiki and whatnot.

Eishima: I did get satisfaction from making him run like crazy.(laughs) But you see…when I get really happy watching that, my high school son would just pass by and say “But, haven’t this kid’s tunnels been opened up already?”, popping my bubble.

Yokoo & Natori: (laughs like crazy)

-That is Eishima’s sin.

Eishima: No! Yokoo was the one who made young Nier do that, and I just novelized it!

Yokoo: My my, Eishima’s a sinful person. Fueling every fan in the nation.

Eishima: This game is just too controversial, seriously!(laughs)

Let’s ask director Yokoo a simple question 4: In the second part of the story, why are there white flowers floating in the pond beside Nier’s house?

Yokoo: He was trying his best to plant Lunar Tears and make them into hair decorations in anticipation of Yonah and Kaine’s return. He didn’t want to throw away the failed attempts, so he let them float in his pond.

“Replicant” was almost

Cancelled in the process!?

Yokoo: We somehow made it possible to release both “Replicant” and “Gestalt” at the same time, but there was a time when “Replicant” almost got called off.

Mr. T: Something like that did happen.

Yokoo: It took approximately 3 years for development, but during that time we were called to a meeting with America’s Square Enix to give a brief report on the game and its progress. Back then, we planned to release the two games earlier, so we were on a tight schedule. When we realized that during the meeting, those higher ups just reasoned “Can’t we just go with “Gestalt”? We could live with not releasing a special version in Japan, can’t we?” in english. (laughs)

-And what happened after that?

Yokoo: The producer Satou, who was sitting by my side, just sort of looked at me with a “…what do we do now?” face, and I just stuck to my opinion that I really didn’t want this. (laughs) If we can’t make “Replicant”, our development team’s motivation will go down like crazy, and as a result even “Gestalt” will be released later!? Are you okay with that!? Is what I threatened them with.

Mr. T: That was pretty selfish.

Yokoo: We planned to make a sibling story in the first place. Although back then “Replicant” was to be voiced in English, but there was some trouble with the voice actors.

Eishima: Now that’s news to me! If “Replicant” had English voices with subtitles, it might not have become such a topic of discussion.

Yokoo: Then producer Satou said “Let’s just do it with Japanese voices” at the last moment on a whim…maybe it was a wise decision.(laughs) So he adjusted the voice actors.

-I heard that you were pretty insistent on Kaine’s voice.

Yokoo: Our original concept was for her to have a cute and lovely voice in the beginning to go with her feminine design. But I wanted to reflect her rough side even in her voice, so that’s why we asked Atsuko Tanaka to do the role.

Natori: I had the most fun writing Kaine’s vulgar lines. I remember writing **** to censor the words, but putting the dirtiest words and most horrible profanities in parentheses after them. “She’s saying something like thiiiis!♪” I had a lot of fun, so it was great to be able to write them out even though they were censored by beeps.

Yokoo: Having Tanaka say “all of that” and hearing “all of that” in the studio was a nice experience as well.

-If they just heard that, Tanaka fans throughout the world are going to faint in agony.

Save data was the final price

What if there was no ending D…

-Hearing all that, the successful release of “NieR” definitely seems to be the product of the hard work of many parties.

Yokoo: Yeah, I feel that it’s very fortunate in that regard. Back then we didn’t plan a limited edition first press version, and it was thanks to Mr. T and his crew that it was made possible.

Mr. T: That’s because the music was simply too good. I insisted that we should do it, and it did eventually get realized.

-I’m surprised that the soundtrack released earlier than the game.

Yokoo: I made quite a lot of selfish requests to Okabe Keiichi from MONOCA and Emi Evans. In the end, they made great songs that far exceeded my expectations, so I’m really grateful. I’m really happy that the soundtrack has been receiving such positive reviews.

-Ending D must come as a huge surprise for players. It’s amazing how such a system could come to pass.

Yokoo: I really wanted to do that, so producer Satou did his best to realize it. At first, we didn’t even allow players to make backup data.

Eishima: If that got passed, Yokoo’s definitely heading to his locker.(laughs)

Yokoo: Yeah, even I know when to restrain myself.(laughs) So we allowed backups to be made, and added several confirmation messages after the choice that would lead to data deletion. Only after all that did my idea get passed, so all’s well.

-If that system was turned down, how would the players reach the final ending?

Yokoo: After playing the game once thoroughly, you won’t be able to use your first save file name. After seeing endings A, B and C using your second name, you would be able to play the portion described in the SS “The Lost World”. And after inputting the name you used the first time, you’ll be able to take back the protagonist.

Eishima: That seems really fun by its own rights. I’d actually like to play.

Natori: That, by its own rights, seems like some twisted mechanic that’s going to open up the locker’s door.(laughs)

-Is there any special meaning to the fact that you can’t use the name of your first playthrough?

Yokoo: Back when we planned on the 7-playthrough system, we wanted to emphasize the fact that he definitely “existed”, and that players “remember him clearly” by forbidding you from using the name you used at first. Not being able to use the same name after ending D is simply what remained of the “7 playthrough system just in case”.

Homage and respect

Towards a lot of works

-If we’re talking about things that flew under the radar, we have to mention similarities and references to a lot of famous works aside from ending D.

Yokoo: We looked to mainstream hit works for “reference”. We’ll get flamed if we overdid it, so we scattered most of them throughout the game…

Eishima: Is it really okay to scatter them everywhere even when you’re trying to tone it down!?

-When I got some meat from the sheep, I thought that I could definitely cook this somewhere.

Eishima: Me too!(laughs)

Yokoo: I’ll get into trouble if I don’t hold myself back. Mr.T is constantly watching.

Mr.T: I heard that it was even more shocking in the beginning of development. If you go in front of the door in the mansion, you’ll get a scene change and the door will open with a huge creaaaaaak…something like that.(laughs)

Together: That’s definitely not okay!!

Yokoo: What I thought.

A sequel? A series?

Looking towards the future

-“NieR” became a huge topic of discussion everywhere, but what are your thoughts concerning your next piece, Yokoo?

Yokoo: I just finished with “NieR”, so I didn’t really think of anything. After all, I(from cavia) am but a developer. I only make things according to plans that were approved by the publisher and okayed for budget. I’ll be glad if another opportunity like this comes up.

-What about “NieR”’s sequel?

Yokoo: Nothing as of now. However, I am quite interested in expanding the worldview like I did in this book, linking the game with other media. Things that can’t be properly expressed in the game can have their chance to shine on text. We tried out lots of different methods within our limited budget and time, and I really wanted to deliver to fans in the best way possible.

-Are there anything that Eishima or Natori would want to write about, if conditions were favorable?

Eishima: The word limit on SS really gave me a hard time, so I’d like to write something lengthy. “NieR”’s worldview has unusual depth, so I wanted to hear more about its settings from Yokoo, and dig up more juicy information.

Natori: I wanted to write something about the leader wolf and the old man. There are simply too many lovable characters, so I’d be glad to keep in touch with the in some form or the other.

-Last but not least, please give a message to the readers of this book, Yokoo.

Yokoo: I am happy that you liked “NieR”. Please don’t expect too much from now on, but go about it with the mentality of trying a bit of something and finding it unexpectedly good.

Let’s ask director Yokoo a simple question 5: We can enter the Shadowlord’s castle from the lost shrine, but we couldn’t see anything like that from the roof.

Yokoo: Behind the altar on the topmost floor is an elevator that brings you a long way underground. Then there’s a pathway the leads into the Shadowlord’s castle. Position-wise, it’s located on the back of the mountain in the lost shrine.

Grimoire Nier Credits

Short Stories: The Secret

Due to size restrictions on google documents, each of the short stories have been moved out to separate files. Click the links below to read them.

Geppetto: the robot that you chuck bombs into its mouth. From the old puppet maker in Pinocchio.

Cleo: The cute little shade with P-33. From the name of the gold fish in Pinocchio.

Sleeping Beauty: The tree in Forest of Myth. From Sleeping Beauty.

Shahriyar: The thing from the Barren Temple. The name comes from One Thousand and One Nights. It’s the name of the king who killed his newlywed wife.

Roc: The king of wolves. The name is from a giant bird in One Thousand and One Nights.

Goose: The damn immortal boar. From Mother Goose.

In Game Reports

Case Report 05/18/2004

Mutations found in subcutaneous cell structure.

Rise in mental disorders believed to be caused by external factors.

Airborne transmission most likely mechanism.

Research into effective treatments underway.

--------------------------------------------

Damage Report 02/06/2008

Wall of jericho collapsed.

5000 people believed dead.

Requests for reinforcements streaming in from multiple locations.

We continue to monitor the situation.

-----------------------------------------

Founder Research Report 06/06/2010

Physical attacks useless.

Thermonuclear attacks useless.

Unknown paritcles have been detected.

Dealing with the situation will require proving the multi-origin theory.

-----------------------------------------

New Medication Cycle 02/09/2016

Observed to slow the progress of white chlorination.

No unusual readings seen in subject.

Send records directly to Cabinet Command Room.

-----------------------------------------

Death Confirmation 03/01/2030

Body 99.999% likely that of Red Eye

Death of Red Eye confirmed

13th Expeditionary Force ordered home

Legion movements untraceable.

--------------------------------------------

New Technology Report 08/07/2032

Although the resultant white chlorination syndrome

infection makes ours an imperfect solution, we have

reason to expect some positive results. Testing will

begin on the previously selected subjects:

recordkeeping on the procedure's safety is top

priority.

-----------------------------------------

World Purification Commission Report 09/30/2032

The first detatchment is functioning properly.

However, continued caution will be required well

into the future. A disscussion about dealing with

relapse cases will be deffered to the next conference

-----------------------------------------------

Abnormalities 06/23/2033

Several deleterious abnormalities have been found

with a subject in the early stages of treatment,

including a relapse state resulting in total loss

of self. We will investigate the cause of this error

and submit a countermeasure plan immediately.

-------------------------------------------

Successful Test Case 01/15/2034

A succesful test case has been discovered and

detained. The specimen's cooperation has been

requested according to predetermined

stipulations. Treatment of the specimen will

continue on a classified basis until we determine

why our results have such a wide range of variations.

---------------------------------------------

Transition into Sleep Mode 12/28/2034

Transition into sleep mode is proceeding smoothly.

All that remains is to pray for Project Gestalt's

ultimate success.

May God have mercy on us all.

----------------------------------------------

Summer 2049

Story begins.

----------------------------------------------

3361

The Father's story begins.

----------------------------------------------

3366

Story resumes 5 years after Yonah's abduction.

Project Gestalt Report 0923

As noted in the previous report, implementation of Gestalt mode can

prevent the White Chlorination Syndrome we recently experienced.

Transfer of bodily information to civilization-repressed Replicants is

proceeding as planned, with the genes of the Originals safely stored

inside.

Our role as surveillance androids to prepare for when the incurable

disease eventually dies out is also underway. So far, this is

proceeding without issue.

Observer: 021 Codename: Popola

Project Gestalt Report 9182

This document discusses potential strategies for the relapse cases we

have observed in recent years. The term “relapse”, of course, refers

to the catastrophic loss of sentience seen in certain Gestalts. This

syndrome has defied even our most pessimistic initial estimates, and

continues to trend upwards with disturbing speed.

With some relapsed Gestalts beginning to attack Replicants, there is

an urgent need to take comprehensive action. We remain convinced that

an unknown technological defect in the Gestalt process is responsible

for the condition, but so far have been unable to confirm this theory.

Research of this condition is now our top priority, and looks likely

to continue for some time.

Observer: 022 Codename: Devola

Project Gestalt Report 10432

Shorthand of Minutes of Case 23 (Emergency Response Conference)

Committee Special Meeting

Issue: Observed upward trend in relapses (noted and discussed).

Issue: Acceleration of restoration schedule (approved)

Report: Debate over using the codename “Noir” for human restoration schedule.

Report: Preparations to launch “Weiss” decoding system for above.

Report: Order collection of guidance and release code for Noir

alongside Weiss launch.

Observer: 021 Codename: Popola

Observer: 022 Codename: Devola

Project Gestalt Report 11242

We have determined that the rise of relapses was due to an unexpected

spike in the sentience of the Replicants, as well as genetic

instability within the original gestalt (it seems the Original’s

effect on bodies that have

undergone the Gestalt process was not anticipated in advance.)

Immediate action must be undertaken to identify links between this

trend and the original Gestalt, along with its daughter, the relapsed

caesar known as Yonah.

The Observer Contact Group is growing uneasy, so finding a solution to

the relapse issue should be considered a top priority. (see other

reports for more details.)

Observer: 021 Codename: Popola

The World of the Recycled Vessel

These are the words that appear before each stage in the DLC. Note: They're collectively titled "The Mysterious Diaries of a Dead Mother".

Door 1

This is the world of the recycled vessel, created to avoid the destruction of all.

The Black Scrawl. A lost destiny. A white book. A false truth.

A soldier of salt calling forth white death. He is Legion, the man who plunged the world into darkness.

The dragon's corpse brought death to the world, delivering unto it the power of the devil.

The black sickness stains the future. They journey to return to soulless vessels.

Door 2

The apocalypse divided the world in two: one that knows not day, and one which has never seen the night.

Black, and white. Thirteen pacts. The vessels' forms waver as they cross time and space.

The song of man has been drowned out. In its place, the scream of something inhuman.

The sky falls with the dragon. The world ends this day.

The puppet priest collects the accursed prayers and polishes the vessel.

Door 3

As long as this memory exists, as long as mankind has hope, a bloody battle will be waged over the holy domain of the body.

Foolish human. Foolish human. Foolish human. Foolish vessel.

All is paid. All is sacrifice.

Do not bring back the light. Do not bring back the vessel. Do not bring back the future. Do not bring it back.

Every beam of light is an invitation to death.

Miscellaneous Information from Chinese Sources

Information from source #2

This part has some small overlap from source #1, but I think it’s best to leave everything intact. This one seems to be quite different from the other sources that I have read, but it kinda fits with the other sources as well.

The Giant and the Dragon

On June 12th, 2003, a giant and dragon suddenly emerged in the skies of Shinjunku. The two fought an intense battle, and the giant fell at the end. Japan's Self Defense Force attacked the Red Dragon to avoid further catastrophe. People later found an unknown particle called Demonic Element, a source of the White Chlorination Syndrome. It was also recorded that a young man rode on the dragon's back, but this information cannot be verified.

White Chlorination Syndrome

People who developed the WCS either die or become killers who attack random people. These berserk patients are later called “Legion”.

The Wall of Jericho

In order to stop the spreading of WCS, the Japanese government erected a wall around the Shinjuku area. The name is a reference to the to the Book of Joshua form the Bible.

Legion

WCS patients who manage to stay alive become extremely violent. Their bodies become much more powerful as their intelligence drop, and they attack anyone who has not contracted the WCS. The patients do not always retain their human form, and may transform into monsters. WCS can be seen as the curse of a foreign God. Those who defy this god will die. Those who accepts this god will become Legion, and accept the mission to reduce the world to the nothing. This Foreign God is the God from Drakengard.

Red Eye

A Legion who is highly infected with the Demonic Element. The Red Eye is different from the normal Legion in that he is able to retain his intelligence, and can lead the army of Legion in their mission of ending the world. The Red Eye’s existence is comparable to Manah from Drakengard.

Multiple World Theory

By studying the remains of the Red Dragon, scientists have concluded that that there are multiple worlds. They have also found a mysterious particle named demonic element, and can develop magic from it.

Gestalt

By using magic, people have developed the technology to extract the soul from the body, and the name of the soul is called the Gestalt. While it is possible to evade the WCS by becoming a Gestalt, the Gestalt will slowly lose its intelligence and sense of self and become a corrupted being. It is only later that they have found a way to deal with this flaw. At the beginning only rich people can pay for Gestalt healing process.

Luciferase

A type of drugs used to treat the WCS. It cannot suppress the symptoms, but can at least delay its onset. The drug works the best with younger users. Most members of the Crusader use this drug.

Hemelin Organization

The Crusaders are a group that find and trains people who can fight the Legion. It was supposed to work with the Gestalt Project with the World Purifying Committee, but as more corporations become involved, the Crusaders have become more secretive.

State Weapons Laboratory (I am too tired to find the proper English name for this)

In response to the founding of the Hemelin Organization, the Japanese government started the State Weapons Laboratory to strengthen its military power. Halua and Emil are magical weapons created by this organization.

Replicant System

By extracting data from humans who have undergone the Gestalt process, copies named Replicant (with no reproductive abilities) are created. To make it easier to manage the replicants, they are given an artificial personality. When the Gestalt and its corresponding Replicant combine, the original person would be restored. Replicant did not have a true sense of self at first, but they developed it after countless resurrections. The Black Scrawl is developed in the replicants because the data source (Gestalt) was already corrupted.

Project Gestalt

The World Purifying Committee’s true goal is to make every human go through the Gestalt process, and leaves the job of fighting the Legion to the replicants. When the WCS and legion problem is taken care of, the fusion of the Black and White books would transport the soul back into the replicant bodies.

Project Black Book

Part of the Gestalt Project. 13 Sealed Books are created through magic, with the Black Book and the White Book being two of them. The power from the fusion of the two books will forcefully return all Gestalts to their corresponding Replicant.

Corrupted Form

The corruption of Gestalt was a huge blow to Project Gestalt. The World Purifying Committee performed experiments on the masses in order to find the vaccine (demonic element). Nier and Yonah are two of the unlucky guinea pigs.

Every subject is given a copy of the Black Book. After Nier seeing the first person becoming a Gestalt, he quickly escaped with his sister. At the end, they are both forced to undergo the Gestalt process. While Gestalt Nier managed to retain his sense of self, the weaker Yonah experienced corruption immediately. In order to protect his sister, Nier accepted the World Purifying Committee’s proposal to become the Original Gestalt and supply demonic element to everyone. This allows his sister to be cryogenically frozen for a thousand years.

A thousand years later, Gestalt Nier/Shadow Lord realized that no advances were made, and choose to act on his own. At the same time, the occurrence of corruption has increased greatly, and the twins think that this is related to the actions of the Shadow Lord. Not being able to stop the Shadow Lord, they could only guide Replicant Nier to begin retrieving the Sealed Verses, and prematurely initiate the Project Black Book.

This series of mistakes seem to be created by one of the programmer. This programmer thinks that the Replicant should the true ruler of the world. (Don’t ask me where the hell this came from. I don’t know)

Famitsu Developer Interview

summary by Defade

original source: http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1235592_1124.html

Origin of Nier:

-SE producer Saitou originally wanted to make an epic RPG like the FF & SO series, but sometime during development, he changed his mind to "Let's make a 'very very' action-based game".

-Yooko thought that Saitou still wanted an RPG, so he didn't take that comment to heart. Stuff comes out, you kill it. If I make a game like that, it could somehow fit into both genres...if I aimed for an action game from the start, the results might've been different. The fact that NieR has Towns is a testament to that fact.

-Since we did our worst(tn:worst as in the situations the characters encounter, not the actual writing quality) in terms of plotline in DOD, we thought we'd do something different for NieR.

About Ending D:

-Yooko had the concept of save file deletion early on in development, but thought it'd be immediately rejected and shut up about it. Later when he told the committee of his idea, reception was a lot more positive than expected.

-He wanted to make a 'strange game', so he didn't particularly fear the players' responses this and expected their opinions to be on two extreme sides. However, most people seemed fine with it, so he's both happy and confused. He thought that more people would stop playing at Ending A, but a lot of them actually continued to D. The comments of players overseas though, were pretty much what he expected, be it good or bad.

-He thought one comment on NieR, that it was 'an ugly puppy', described the game perfectly. It's full of flaws and sometimes you just can't bear to look at it, but there's a certain charm about it that you just can't let go of.

Secrets of the NieR world:

-Father Nier's birthday is 9/11, the release date for DOD. Brother Nier's birthday, 6/6, was a placeholder they forgot to change. However, some people said that it was Brother Day, and Yooko just took that as the official settng.

-1300 years later vs. 1400 years later. To counter the widespread disease, souls - Gestalts - were pulled out of bodies and put into Replicants. By changing the role of the Replicant, they can ensure the repeated survival of their souls. Replicant and Gestalt are not parallel worlds. But are distinct patterns in an ever-repeating world. The main character and Yonah are sometimes siblings, and sometimes father and daughter. The difference in time changes reflects that.

-The story told in NieR is actually the second part of the settings I came up with, and the amount of deleted content in the first part is enough to fill up two games.

-Back then, there were many copies of Grimoire Noir. GN was required for the Gestalt process, but back then there were no recorded cases of success, so many people were given copies of GN in hopes of running into a succesful case - maybe if they replicated the process of the successful case, they might consistently get good results. It was pretty much a large-scale human experiment. In the opening, Nier became the first case of successful Gestalt-fication, and the shades that attacked him were all failures. In hopes of helping Nier, Yonah also touched the GN, but...

-Success is when a human could keep their consciousness after going through the Gestalt process - like the mother & child Shades seen in the second playthrough.

-Actually, No.7 is a male that likes other males, but I was pretty surprised that it didn't carry over as well as I thought. Kaine's initital design was much more conservative as well, and Nier was originally designed with nobility in mind, but it just seems so out of place in his world, so they redesigned him.

-All the grimoires were originally human, there are a total of 13 books. All of them are humans who went through the Gestalt process and had their souls sealed in books.

Game system:

-I wanted to make a strange game. So I mixed many different genres together. But it seems like the oversease reaction to sound novels were rather negative...apparently they don't like reading much. Unlike Japan, they don't even have the culture of sound novels.

-The mansion level was too close to the game we were imitating, so we had to change it up a bit. (laughs) Neither Emil nor the butler are human, and they won't age. So to reflect time standing still, I gave the mansion a monochrome color palette.

-Yooko was surprised that the programmers even added a drift system to the boar, but he liked it so it was kept. Young Nier moves a bit slower than father Nier or older Nier, because he has shorter legs.

-The enemies' strength on easy or normal won't change in any playthrough, but in hard, they get stronger according to Nier's level. However, word and item drop rates have gone up.

-Bosses and words were named after fairytales because of Nier's original plot. The basic premise is this: the world within picture books actually exist, and the heroes have to defeat the villains that came from the picture book. They were trying to revive their leader, so the heroes wanted to stop them. However, they have their own reasons. In the world of picture books, the same story is repeated over and over again, and the villains are doomed to be evil forever, and to suffer their punishment for eternity. A certain scientist realized this and tried to free them, but was defeated by the heroes. So, the villains tried to revive him, but of course, the heroes won't allow that.

-Music in this game was inspired by some shooting games that Yooko played, and the composer was friends with him since their university days. I was slightly irritated that many users rated the music higher than the game.(laughs)

Dengeki Playstation #470: What would it be like if Grimoire Weiss has a Tour Guide section?

translated by Gisaelle

TN: Similar to the Q&A of Grimoire Weiss, this is another fun column written by the Dengeki Playstation staff.

How to travel around in Nier’s world

Now is your chance to ride on the wild boar and see all there is about this world!!

This guide is made for those of you planning to travel in a world filled with monuments and ruins from the old world that has been destroyed! We carefully selected places that you must see and information about the towns to aid you during your short stay there.

Preface

This guide is amended with the latest information based on the previous editions that were first published in year 3432 (ed. 1-4) under the same title. We hope this guide could serve the purpose of preparing the readers for the trip.

Terms of Usage

Although we try to include the latest and the most accurate information into this guide, there is a possibility that some information may be different due to the situation and the rules of those places.

Due to the fact that it is dangerous when encountering the Shades and other hostilities, we would recommend the readers to obtain the latest information locally.

The editorial department will not be held responsible for any losses or damages while using this book.

Popola’s Village – A village filled by a gentle singing voice, waterwheels and a library

Place: The southern region of the northern plains

Special Products: None in particular

Shops: Weaponry, Item Shop, Material Shop, Flower Shop, Grocery

There exists no proper name to call this village. It has been referred to as “the village of the waterwheels”, “the center village” and others, but it appears that a lot of people have also been referring it to “Popola’s Village”. Ms. Popola is the overseer, the priest, and the diplomat of the village. This is a village where one could stay comfortably as the public safety is well maintained.

Our Recommendation!

A library that gathers a multitude of knowledge

Operating hours: 09-21hr | Opens everyday throughout the year

There is a huge library located at the northeast corner of the village. It is a place where it prides itself by having the most number of books stored, the books’ condition are maintained in a topnotch condition, and a place where one could learn a lot about the information regarding the old world. Popola, the chief librarian’s room is on the second floor. Since she handles all the things in the village, if the readers are involved in any trouble at all, we would recommend them to have a consultation with her.

A replenished shopping district

As for food, the grocers usually sell ordinary legumes such as pumpkins and eggplants. In order to enrich the shopping district, the vendors have expensive weapons for sale, and thus there are also a lot of travelers from nearby areas who come to the village to purchase items for hunting purposes. While this place is famous for its homely cooking by boiling the vegetables in oil and serving them cold, if our readers are lucky, mutton could be purchased from the stores.

Town Information

The song of the beautiful sisters greets travelers from all over the world

There is a songstress playing a string instrument at the pub in the shopping district on a normal basis. If there is a chance, how about requesting a song about your journey like the song that is being passed down in the village? By the way, Ms. Devola and Popola are twins. When the author visited the village, he encountered the twins having a duet from time to time.

Aerie – A village enshrouded in a faint tint of gloom in between the gorges

Place: The western region of the northern plains

Special Products: Ores, Eagle Eggs…etc

Shops: ?

This is a settlement which moved to the higher grounds and gathered together in order to flee from the attacks of the Shades. There have been a lot of fogs lately, and our readers must take caution as that is the time when the Shades appear. However, its fantasy-like scenery attracts a lot of travelers to stop and take a look. The sceneries in this village should be seen at least once in the life time of a pro-traveler.

Our Recommendation!

Suspension bridges and tanks

The cliff has numerous living quarters referred to as “tanks” that are thought to be the remains from the old world. They are suspended along the sides of the cliff. In order for the tanks to be connected to one another, people in the Aerie have to move through the string-like suspension bridges. We would like to remind our readers to be careful of the drafts of air that rises from the valley while enjoying the picturesque scenery.

Town Information

The townspeople are discriminatory!?

It appears that the townspeople engaged in trades with other towns a long time ago, but as of now there has been none. It is rare for the townspeople to leave their tanks, and the chief of the village has issued a declaration of ceasing the trades with the outside world which shocked the surrounding towns and villages. The general attitude of the townspeople is discriminatory. Since they will not respond to you even if you were to try to start a conversation with them, simply enjoy the scenery and leave them alone. Do not expect to be able to buy anything or find a place to sleep over night. To the readers who would like to visit the Aerie, do make sure you are prepared.

Seafront – A town that is lively with trades and a blue ocean with white sands

The town that lies in the southern end of the southern plains is a town with a warm climate that is regulated by the sea. It is also a popular sightseeing spot blessed by an abundance of seafood and other food resources. The size of the town is the biggest in the nearby area, and its trades are the most prosperous of all. The walls of the town are beautiful as they are coloured in white, so our readers could enjoy themselves while they are taking a stroll in the town. The townspeople are bright and social, once you’ve start to engage in a conversation with them, you will probably be able to understand the beauty and the attraction of this town. There is a decorative and extravagant western-style house once you step out of the town and head towards the southern plains. Although it is impossible to enter the house, it is possible for the tourists to be captivated and to imagine what kinds of lives were led in a house with such construction.

Our Recommendation!

A clear view of the town from the outlook of the lighthouse

The highest platform in the town is the lighthouse, and one could take a glance and see all there is of the whole town. There are still some remains of a giant infrastructure from the old world on the sea, and it creates a fantasy-like scenery with the glimmering lights dancing on the surface of the ocean. After marvelling at the picturesque scenery, do visit the pub and indulge yourself with the fine taste of the sea. The master of the pub likes to cook with ingredients that are huge, so he is experimenting and inventing a new menu everyday. Perhaps if our readers are lucky, they could be able to try out the new menu? We would like to urge our readers to try and visit the pub if possible.

Town Information

A comfortable spot for the amateurs to fish in a frenzy

The greatest leisure in this town is fishing. The fish you get is based on where you’ve got it, we would like to recommend the amateurs to fish near the beach area with an wide open coast. In order to fish successfully, there are several tips and tricks that one needs to be mindful of, so again, we would like to recommend the amateurs to take some lessons from the pros in town. If our readers have had enough with the fishing, why don’t you take a look at the seals that are basking in the sun from different angles? They will calm you down with a sense of tranquility.

Façade – A country where the people of the mask live with numerous rules and sands

The people living in this place are a strange race of people whose lives are governed and enforced by numerous rules. One must obtain the permission of their ruler – the King of Façade, before entering the town. The citizens of Façade must apply for a permit, and the outsiders are rarely granted one. We would like to urge our readers to try and visit Façade if you could be granted a permit.

Our Recommendation!

Take a ride on the quicksand!

Information about the boat ride: Operates everyday throughout the year | Free of charge

The greatest attraction of all is the quicksand that is flowing through the canals throughout the town. The boat ride on the quicksand is the basic route for sightseeing as the quicksand takes you around the town. Since the boat ride also includes the biggest building “The King’s Mansion” on its route, if our readers would like to get around town effectively and efficiently, we would recommend using this service. The boat is controlled by experienced boatmen, so there wouldn’t be excessive swaying and shaking and there is no need to worry about getting sick on the boat.

Town Information

Do not get close to the packs of wolves

There is a ruin called “The Barren Temple” that rests on a place far away from the town. Although the masked people regard it as a holy place and that makes it impossible to set foot on, it is possible to take a look at it on the outside with a guide to take you through the sandstorm. However, one must be careful as there are packs of wolves appearing here and there. Since being dead serves no purpose to your trip at all, if our readers have no intention of fighting, please try your best and run as fast as you can.

Dengeki Playstation #471: Q&A with Grimoire Weiss

Translated by Gisaelle

TN: This is not really related to any "secrets" whatsoever, but it's a cute column written in Dengeki Playstation #471. It basically has Nier asking Grimoire Weiss some questions about the world.

Q1. Is it true that humans used to raise sheep and goats in the past despite them being violent?

A1. It's true. ......If there's nothing else you would like to know, let's end it here, shall we, hmm?

Q2. When I read an old book, it mentions that water droplets will fall from the sky and it's called "rain"......?

A2. That is correct. It appears that from rain you get rivers, then they become lakes which flow into oceans. It appears with the grace of such water, the plants could grow, the animals' thirst are quenched, and the humans could enjoy swimming. While there isn't any rain now, perhaps if you look at where the rivers flow, the rain may fall on the higher levels of mountains. According to what was passed down by the ancients, rain ceased to fall due to a great catastrophe in the past which greatly altered the climate; and along with that catastrophe, the humans have decreased in great numbers. However, it is not that bad at all. In the past when the sun sets, the world will be shrouded in darkness. I assume it will be a great deal of trouble when people are getting attacked by the Shades, though I do wonder how people in the past handled it?

Q3. Since when did the Black Scrawl became an epidemic?

A3. The details of the Black Scrawl has yet to be determined, but it is known that there is a correlation with the Shades. While there is no indication as to where and how the Shades came to be, there are records which note that the Black Scrawl appears the same time as the Shades. If it is possible to look further into that, perhaps Yonah's sickness could be cured as well.

Q4. What other countries trade with the Seafront?

A4. There is a race of people who live in a far western continent know as "the people of the west", then towards the far eastern sea, there is a place known as the "southern island" where people live as well with whom the Seafront people trade with. These people have many different types of special products, and while these groups of people are engaging in trades enthusiastically, it appears that they fought against one another in the past. This fits the description of humans indeed.

Q5. How did the Seafront came to worship the seals as their guardian deity?

A5. It seems that there was once a time in the past that seals were treated as valuable beings. While you may not believe it now, it was said that when seals appear back in those days, humans will gather around and watch them as though it is an attraction. Thereafter, everyone treated the seals with great care and raised them to the point where and they got too big to move. Their numbers increased so much that it got out of hand. They are unpalatable, people couldn't bear killing them, and moving them is a bother. So when it is time to consider what needs to be done, they decided that they will leave the seals as the guardian deity of the city...and that is how it is.

Q6. How do the robots in the Junk Heap operate?

A6. You take this liquid that is known as "flammable water" which arises from the earth and refine it, then it will become a liquid known as "gasoline" which you put inside the machines; when the force given off by the explosion of vapours from the gasoline pushes the part known as a "piston" and sends it off to another part known as a "shaft", the machines will began to move......that's how it is written according to some book in Popola's library. I must say it is indeed difficult to imagine there are explosions happening in these small machinery.

Q7. Do Shades eat?

A7. They do eat....... THEY FEAST ON HUMANSSSSSSSSSSSS! .......Why aren't you afraid? ......It's alright to be afraid, you know?

Q8. What's the reason that causes the people in Facade to follow the rules diligently?

A8. It appears that there is a race of people who are extremely serious in the distant past. It is said that they will work day in day out in a box of iron and sand. According to the most accurate vocabulary that I know, they are people who are known as "slaves". As a result of their continuous way of living by being serious, they eventually became a race which none of them could live without the guidance of the rules......and they appear to be the distant ancestors of the people of Facade. However, if you ask me, I think they are simply a group of strange people.

Q9. Why do the wolves in the desert attack people?

A9. What do you plan to get out of me by asking the same question twice? ......Perhaps that mouth of yours is only there to allow me to understand your sense of foolishness and naivety.

From the Interview カイネの誕生は「男性のヒロインを入れて☆」と言う要望から 『ニーア レプリカント・ゲシュタルト』の横尾ディレクターにインタビュー！（前編）

translated by Gisaelle

TN: This is just one of the questions that was not featured in the Grimoire Nier.

Original link: http://getnews.jp/archives/60012

Q: Is the world map the Tokyo Bay? It sure looks like it.

A: We've made it so it's somewhere in/near Tokyo. We tried to make it with the idea that, "perhaps this is how the place will look after Japan has been flooded due to the plate shift". By the way, other regions have different settings, and the Tokyo Tower will not be featured in the overseas versions. Depending on the region that the game is sold, it could be the Tokyo Tower, the Empire State Building, the Big Ben, the German Television Tower, the Eiffel Tower...etc.

Trivia regarding brother Nier's birthday

Yokoo's blog entry translated by Defade

6/6

By the way, today is both Shinji Ikari and Nier (brother)'s birthday.

Well- I never thought that I'd still be watching Eva in this time and age.

And I felt like I've said this in some magazine interview before, but the true reason behind brother Nier's birthday is-

This planner was screwing around and put my birthday as Nier's.

-I'll kill you! Undo it! - what I said

-Planner forgot to change it

-It became official

-A user told us that 6/6 is brother's day, and we were saved

That's the general gist of it. I was deeply impacted.

As punishment, I killed that planner by writing his full name in the setting book.

But I didn't know that people would say "Happy birthday!" to characters with set birthdays. I'm happy that there're users who left messages in Twitter's #nier tag.

Interview with Emi Evans

Dixième Art :Hi Emi. First of all, can you remind us your career path?

Emi Evans : The first job I ever did in my life was at the age of 15 in a recording studio in London where I played my cello as a session musician on a boys choir album, but I didn`t actually start singing professionally until I was 21 and living in Tokyo.

I feel I need to tell you a bit about my background if I may, as it is all linked in with my career today.

There is no short way to explain this but basically, I started playing cello at 8 and until 18 I was sure that I would go on to play in an orchestra as my career. As my hobby in-between cello practice, I composed songs, singing on the piano and at 15, by lucky chance got scouted by a Japanese producer. This was the first time I ever thought that maybe I could become a singer. At 18, totally sick of always having to practice my cello and curious about my Japanese background (my Mum is Japanese but had never really taught me the language) I chose not to go on to study cello at music conservatory as everyone had expected, but instead to study Japanese and French at Leeds University with the purpose of becoming a translator and just keeping music as my favourite hobby.

At 20 in my second year of university, I came to Tokyo as a one year exchange student, but while I was here, I met up again with the same producer who had scouted me before and he introduced me to the arranger and composer Hiroyuki Muneta (Hiro)-who had already arranged a bunch of my songs before I had even met him! When I heard the magical way that Hiro breathed life into my songs, I felt that I had found the perfect music partner and HAD to give music another chance.

At 21 I quit university in England in order to chase the music life and since then have stayed in Tokyo making music with Hiro in our unit « freesscape » and gradually building up my singing career.

freesscape have released two albums independently and our songs have been used on a movie, various TV commercials and from time to time we perform at brand events. Aside from freesscape, for the last 9 years I slowly but surely built up my own singing work, mainly singing for weddings, hotel lounges, company and brand events, session singing and lyric writing for TV commercials and the occasional video game. Everything was very gradual- I eventually registered with about 20 different music agencies who between them, would give me enough work to make a comfortable living and every so often, at a party or in a bar, just by chance I would meet someone very special who would directly or indirectly introduce me to a fabulous job and help give my career a boost! The power of random encounters and word of mouth has helped me out so much here in Tokyo and that was what brought me to NieR and the most exciting and challenging project in my career so far!

DA :How did you joined this project ?

EE : The very first time I touched the world of video games was in 2007. Through a friend of a friend I was introduced to the fabulous composer Norihiko Hibino and he asked me to write lyrics and sing for Sekaiju no Meikyu Super Arrange Version 1 and 2(Etrian Odyssey). This was the first time for my name to go out online in the credits and because I was too shy to put my real name out, I took my middle name and called myself « Rebecca Evans ». It wasn`t until I saw all the kind response my voice was getting and realized that « Rebecca Evans » was actually quite a famous Welsh opera singer that I decide to use my real name on the next project! In between recording Sekaiju 1 and 2, through one of my music agencies, I played cello on a session recording for Time Hollow (but I was so out of practice that I played out of tune a lot and kept getting told off-it was terrible!)

Then in summer 2008 I went to a friends leaving party and got chatting with the DJ there who seemed really cool, so I gave him a copy of my CD and we swapped contacts. It just so happened that his friend Mio was the assistant at Monaca and when she asked him if he knew any native English singers, he passed on my number to her. I was originally contacted my Mio because the boss and composer Mr Okabe needed a singer for his latest project « Dance Dance Revolution » but after Mr Okabe heard my CD, he told me that my voice wasn`t suitable for this particular project, but he`d keep me in mind in case something more appropriate came up. And that was how, a few months later I was asked to sing for NieR!

DA :NieR’s OST was composed by Keiichi Okabe. How did you coordinated your work with him ?

EE : It was really very simple and efficient the way that we worked together. Mr Okabe would send me very rough demo tracks of the songs, 2 or 3 at a time and ask me « please write French sounding lyrics for this song » or « this song should sound a bit like Gaelic » So I would write the lyrics in my room at home and then go to his studio (which was just a 40 minute train ride away) and record as much as I could.

Mr Okabe was always there at the recordings and would give me as much extra direction as he could. For example he would tell me what sort of scenery would be showing during each particular song and what sort of emotion he wanted me to convey. And at the times when even Mr Okabe wasn`t quite sure what was going on during the songs or how he wanted me to sing, he`d just let me sing my own interpretation and he`d say- »Yes! That`s it! » or « Ooh sort of, but maybe try singing more intensely it that bit.. »

There was a lot of guessing and bouncing ideas off each other involved and sometimes the arrangement would`ve changed and Mr Okabe would say- »Sorry, actually I need an extra verse and chorus here » so mid recording I would have to sit down, hurriedly write an new chunk of lyrics and record them right away.

We continued in this fashion for about 6 months!

DA :NieR’s story unfolds in an alternative future on our planet, and the OST lyrics were composed in alien languages. How was this point decided ?

EE : Because NieRs story takes place in such an alternative future, it would`ve been too close to home and normality had the lyrics been in any familiar language. At first I was just asked to write lyrics in an « alien » sounding language (and this was when I wrote the first lyrics for « Song of the Ancients » which is just a jumble of all the languages I have ever heard, all mixed up) but after that it was decided that because of the futuristic element of the game, it would make most sense if my lyrics were also futuristic versions of our languages today.

DA : You drew your inspiration from various actual languages to compose the lyrics. Did you worked from a linguistic or a musical point of view ? Can you describe your work ?

EE : I worked mostly linguistically and a little musically I guess. As I mentioned earlier, for each track, I was given instructions to write the lyrics in a particular pseudo language. For example with « Kaine » I was asked to write in new style Gaelic. I researched on the internet and listened to lots of Gaelic lesson videos and Gaelic songs. I listened over and over and even wrote down passages in the language, just to help me absorb its rhythms and flow as much as possible. Then it was just a matter of fitting similar sounds around the melodies. I tried to imitate each language as closely as possible, while at the same time choosing vowel and consonant sounds which I felt would be easiest and most appropriate to sing on each particular melody. Because I was generally sent the tracks 2 or 3 at a time with a very short deadline I would often feel so dazed and confused with a jumble of different made up languages going round my head!

DA :Do you think using pure tones can establish an other level of emotion communication than classic language ?

EE : Yes, in my experience I definitely think so. When we use real language, we have both the meaning of the words and the tone of our voices to help express our feelings (and sometimes the words we chose can get in the way of showing how we really feel!), but when the meaning of the words is stripped away completely, we must make up for that by pouring extra emotions into the way we use our voices and by using the soft or harsh sounds and tones to our advantage.

Our way of communication ceases to be intellectual and has to become much purer. This way, especially in singing, we can communicate our emotion to anyone, no matter what language they speak.

With real language, our communication is often on a mostly intellectual level-we have to think and use our brains. But by using only sounds and tones, we need not worry about « thinking » any more and can communicate on a deeper emotional level- we become free to just « feel ».

DA :You said on your website that you would have liked to revive dying or semi-forgotten languages. Is it an aesthetic or a patrimony concern ?

EE : This a bit of both actually! I have always loved languages, especially the more more obscure, exotic sounding ones and have always thought that singing in one of these languages would be a fascinating challenge. At the beginning of this project, I was told that the main point was for me to sing in a language which was not recognizable to most people and that sounded very « other-worldly ».

I`d originally thought that rather than take the time to invent lots of my own languages, it would be much more satisfying and fun for me to sing in some of these « real » semi died out languages-I could add a real authentic and exotic quality to the game and also by doing this, I could bring publicity to these language and maybe help a little to revive them! However, I quickly realized that given the super last minute time frame and lack of resources, I was being far too ambitious!

If I ever get the chance to work on a similar project again, reviving a dying out language will definitely be one of my top priorities!

DA :Were you told about the script and plot twists when you started working ?

EE : At the beginning, I was told that NieR was a very dark plot with no happy ending and was shown a really sad scene with Devola and Popola, but apart from this, I was told nothing about the script and I had to work out the basic plot just from what I could find about NieR on the internet! Since the game was released, I have been checking a lot of the online media and have more or less pieced together the general story but I am still really clueless about a lot of the characters and twists. I`m hoping to persuade one of my gamer friends to play the game for me, so I can finally see what NieR is all about!

DA :Do you consider working on an soundtrack differently that working on an album ? Is the work the same ?

EE : Technically, the work itself is the same for me. With both, I sing using as much sensitivity as I can and just try to create the required atmosphere and emotion with my voice and lay down a good solid track.

But what is going on in my mind as I sing is very different.

The difference is that with an album, everything is about the music-the final product is the recorded sound and how the listener feels will be based purely on what they hear. I feel very responsible for creating that experience through my singing.

Whereas with a soundtrack, most listeners will have first heard the music while playing the game and have already associated each song with whatever emotion they were going through at the time.

During the game, although most of the focus is on the visuals, the music makes a huge difference and enhances the player`s experience by creating another layer of emotion and colour. And likewise, the visuals enrich the music and give the songs a deeper impact. Both visuals and music compliment each other by giving each other an extra dimension.

When I`m working on a soundtrack, I feel that even though I may not know what visuals the song will be used for, this song will nevertheless play a very important role in enriching the players experience. And when the player then listens to the soundtrack, they will associate the music with various scenes and emotions from the game and because of this, their listening experience too will be enriched.

Of course I love working on albums too but through my acquaintance with NieR, I felt that because of this special relationship between the music and visuals, soundtracks hold an extra mysterious and rewarding element. Even when the recording is complete, you know that the final experience has yet to be decided!

DA : On a more personnal note, do you play videogames ?

EE : I am really wretched with computers in general and have no confidence with video games. I had a go sometimes when my friends were playing and got killed within the first few minutes, so these days I prefer to just take a back seat and quietly watch while people play. I really enjoy the amazingly technology behind the visuals of video games today and more than the excitement of the fight scenes, I find it fascinating just to watch the characters moving around in the different landscapes-it all feels so real!

Ooh but I wish so much that I could play NieR! I`ve heard that NieR game is particularly interesting, with all the twists and characters emotions in the plots and I`m sure it would feel very weird but super cool to be playing and hear my own voice in the background-I`d love to know what that`d feel like!

DA : To finish with, can you talk about you future projects ? What can we hope or wish for you ?

EE : Well regarding NieR, it seems that the soundtrack is getting an even better response than we`d expected so I`m hoping that there will be some happy repercussions.I shall be performing some of the songs for a private NieR party just for everyone involved in making the game, but I would really love the chance to perform to the fans as well-that would be fantastic! Also, I `d really like to make a lyrics book with all my mysterious languages. I am the only one in the world right now who knows what the lyrics really are and considering the interest everyone has shown in these lyrics, it just seems mean not to share them!

For the moment, I have no large scale game related projects ahead of me. My next project is actually just to finish the recording of freesscape`s 3rd album, which got put on hold during my work on NieR. I`m hoping that we can have our new album out by the end of this year so please keep an ear out for it!

Thanks to NieR my voice has been heard worldwide for the first time and I`m delighted at the positive attention I seem to be getting. I would love so much to be asked to collaborate with producers and composers not only from Japan but from around the world and to work again on another big creative project like NieR or a movie soundtrack maybe…

But my biggest dream of all is that freesscape`s music too will one day have the opportunity to be heard world wide. It was a wonderful feeling when I realized that my voice and lyrics were being listened to by so many people around the world on the NieR soundtrack, but to have my very own compositions being played-well I cannot think of anything more satisfying! This is definitely my next mission!

DA : Thanks a lot for your time and answers !

EE : You are very welcome, it was my pleasure!

Yokoo put all those different genres into Nier to destroy the concept of preexisting genre limitations. When he played games recently, he liked them in the beginning but quickly grew bored since it's just cutscene, some action, a boss...(as an example). He feels like he's repeating what he learnt in the first level. But he doesn't want users to relearn configurations for every change in genre, so he made it that players can experience a whole new way of playing Nier using the controls they first learnt.

Interesting quote:

-You know what they think of sound novels now, right?

Yokoo: Yeah. The overseas people weren't too happy with it. I mean it's true that the sound novel part came up out of the blue and all, but is "****" really a good response.(laughs) More like, when I see those people on forums playing the game on illegal copies that came before the release date saying "****", I feel like saying "**** you!".

Nier was in development for 3 years. Average team is 20, max is about 40~50.

First request to Yokoo was to make "a happy ending filled with love".

Yokoo: For the ending, I tried my hardest to make it happy, just as Satou requested.

Satou: ...you call that trying hard?

Yokoo: Yeah.

Satou. Yeaaah. (laughs)

Yokoo: Now that I think about it, I was requested to "not kill Yonah".

Satou: Yeah, I remember asking for a scene where they hold hands.

Yokoo: Well I put that in the ending didn't I?

4Gamer: But you wrote that "Yonah isn't cured" in the setting materials, so Yonah is still going to die after the ending...

Yokoo: Yes, her sickness wasn't cured, so she'll die later. The ending itself is happy, but I make no guarantees on what comes after. (laughs)

Facade language is created by inputting hiragana and shuffling them around, but sometimes it sounded like perfectly fine Japanese.

4Gamer: By the way, does Yokoo have a thing for bad endings?

Yokoo: Nope, none at all.

Everyone: (laughs)

Yokoo: Why are you laughing.(laughs)

Satou: Making it interesting is the only thing that's important.

Yokoo: Yeah, that's the point. I'll do anything it takes for players to enjoy it.

4Gamer: Well, Nier could have a happy ending or a bad one depending on how you see it.

Yokoo: I think it was quite happy compared to DOD.

4Gamer: Before the release date, I was wondering if you're going to make me despair again.

Yokoo: Just like Satou requested, it's full of happy endings.

Satou: How is it "full of".(laughs) However, everyone got their own salvation, especially Emil.

4Gamer: Will Emil never die?

Yokoo: He has no reason to, so he won't.

4Gamer: He'll probably survive even after Kaine and Nier are gone, that's a bit sad...

Yokoo: He seems like the type to "multiply", though. (hint: DLC bullets)

The Facade army barging in to save Nier at the end was based on a certain manga "where death gods fight with swords".

You can use DOD weapons in Nier because Caim and Angel scattered it all over the place when they fell. (Ending E in DOD requires you to get all weapons) But the actual reason is because it was too costly to design models for new ones.

There are more people with abnormal sexual preferences (Red and Black if you know what I'm talking about), because there was no need to pair up women and men since they can't reproduce anyways. But even if they can't reproduce, Replicants still have sex drive.

Replicants don't realize that they can't have babies since they have no concept of what normal childbirth looks like. Basically, managers like Devola and Popola just call them to a place, say "You're going to give birth soon", and put them into sleep, then create a replicant from a test tube-like thing while they're asleep. When replicants die, D&P just 'recycle' them into new bodies.

Yokoo said they considered depicting the fight between humans and legions if they had another game.

Settings not revealed in Grimoire Nier: A few years after the ending, aliens come. It's going to get rather crowded with gestalts, replicants and aliens....but no, they won't save the replicants with their technology. The scenario is sort of like Independence Day. And then, gestalts and replicants will finally work together